Pilonidal Disease of the Anterior Perineum: An Unusual Presentation and Review of Current Practice Guidelines

Abstract

Introduction. Pilonidal disease is a common condition of the gluteal cleft region, but involvement of the anterior perineum is rarely reported. Surgical options for gluteal cleft disease include simple fistulotomy, excisional procedures with primary closure (ie, Bascom cleft lift, Karydakis and Limberg flaps), or excision with secondary healing. The Bascom cleft lift described here is an excisional procedure involving a rotational flap with an off-midline closure. Deep tissue is salvaged allowing for proper contouring of the gluteal cleft, resulting in a cosmetically pleasing result. Case Report. A 20-year-old man with recurrent pilonidal abscesses of the gluteal cleft underwent a Bascom cleft lift procedure for definitive care of his disease. During the procedure, involvement of the anterior perineum was found. Given the location of the pits relative to the flap, the anterior perineal disease was treated only with removal of hair from within the pits and clipping the hair of the perineum. Conclusion. While this case highlights the current standard of care and surgical options for pilonidal disease, the ideal surgical options for rare cases of pilonidal disease of the anterior perineum remain to be determined.