Outpatient excision and primary closure of pilonidal cysts and sinuses. Long-term follow-up.

Long-term follow-up data are reported on 52 patients who underwent outpatient excision and primary closure of pilonidal cysts, sinuses, and abscesses while under local anesthesia. The procedure consists of conservative excision of all sinus tracts and cavities plus primary closure with a dead-space-obliterating monofilament suture. Sitting was restricted for 1 to 2 weeks after surgery. Primary healing was obtained in all of the patients, and with follow-up on 84 percent of the patients, no late recurrences have appeared.