The report is a retrospective study of 157 patients with pilonidal disease. The period in hospital, the healing time, and the rates of wound breakdown and sinus recurrence were documented following four different methods of management. After incision and drainage of the pilonidal abscess, later excision was necessary in less than 40 per cent of patients. Elective excision of the granulation tissue and skin, with partial closure of the defect, gave better results than excision and primary suture.