The management of acute pilonidal abscess is generally considered straightforward, with incision and drainage (I&D) as the standard approach. However, variations in technique - such as incision placement, use of pit picking or curettage, antibiotic strategies, and wound packing - may influence patient outcomes.
This international, prospective audit will explore how acute pilonidal abscess is currently treated across different healthcare settings, and whether variations in practice are associated with short-term outcomes.
Led from Randers, Denmark, and coordinated by the European Society of Coloproctology (ESCP), the study will run over a three-month period in late 2026. Participating centres will collect standardised, anonymised data on patient characteristics, treatment approaches, and 30-day outcomes.
By identifying variation in practice and its impact on recovery, complications, and recurrence, this study aims to improve patient care and provide essential baseline data to inform a future interventional trial.
Registration
Registration for the audit will open shortly.
Further information
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