Abstract

Objective: Sacrococsigeal pilonidal disease is a well known entity affecting mainly young adult men and is appear as an important surgical disease in military hospitals. This paper aim to get objective data about natural history of sacrococsigeal pilonidal disease by evaluating history and physical examination findings of a large patient group.

Materials and Methods: History and physical examination findings of 587 patients with sacrococsigeal pilonidal disease are recorded prospectively during their first examination in five military hospitals.

Results: Main complaints of patients were discharge from sinus, pain, swelling and hemorrhage. Mean orifice number per patient was 3. Orifice on midline was present in 93 % of patients. Orifice in left lateral position was detected in 16 % and in right lateral position detected in 14 %. Interval between the onset of disease and admission was about 15 month. In the history of 43% of patients there were findings that reveal a pilonidal sinus abscess and 28 % of them declared a surgical drainage. Recurrent disease was present in 7.33 % of all patients. Time between operation and recurrence was 19 month.

Conclusion: The results are clarified the first examination findings on an objective basis and gave information about the natural history of disease.