Recurrent pilonidal sinus after excision with closed or open treatment: final result of a randomised trial.

OBJECTIVE

To find out the recurrence rate of chronic pilonidal sinus after excision and primary suture compared with open excision and healing by second intention.

DESIGN

Randomised trial.

SETTING

Teaching hospital, Norway.

SUBJECTS

120 Patients treated between 1987 and 1989.

INTERVENTIONS

60 Patients were treated by excision and primary suture and 60 by open excision. The median follow-up period was 4.2 years.

RESULTS

Recurrent pilonidal sinus was seen in six patients (10%) after primary suture compared with three patients (5%) after open treatment (p = 0.49); 57 (95%) and 55 (92%), respectively, were satisfied with the outcome of treatment at follow-up (p = 0.72).

CONCLUSION

Excision and primary suture compares favourably with open excision and healing by second intention in the treatment of chronic pilonidal sinus.