ABSTRACT
Pilonidal disease is a common anorectal problem that typically affects young people.
Numerous surgical procedures have been described, but treatment failure and disease
recurrence are frequent, leading to considerable morbidity in these otherwise healthy
patients. To manage this problem successfully, surgeons must consider the pathogenesis
and presentation of the disease and weigh the advantages and disadvantages of any
operation. Discussed in this article are the pathogenesis of pilonidal disease and
basic treatment options for acute pilonidal abscesses, sinus tracts, and chronic or
recurrent pilonidal disease.
KEYWORDS
Pilonidal - review - pathogenesis - treatment
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Robert R CimaM.D.
Department of General Surgery, Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery, Mayo Clinic College
of Medicine
200 First St. SW, Rochester, MN 55905
eMail: cima.robert@mayo.edu
