The dilemma of pilonidal disease: pilonidal cystotomy, reappraisal of an old technique.

A series of 126 patients treated by inhospital pilonidal cystotomy is reviewed. One hundred twenty-four were treated using local anesthesia with supplemental diazepam or Innovar. Most patients spent only three days in the hospital, with healing occurring in less than two months. Recurrences occurred in 20.9 per cent of the patients. The recurrences were treated by office procedures in all but one instance. Most patients were pain-free and back to work within two weeks after operation.