Introduction
The literature on pilonidal sinus has assumed voluminous proportions, replete with many cryptic andesoteric allegations as to etiology. These range from the philosophical observation that pilonidal sinus is an atavism relating to the preen gland of birds1 through the teleological assertion that the hairs grow inward and pull the hole after them.2 How these hairs attain sufficient traction with their free tips to accomplish this is not stated by the proponents of this theory. Numerous papers * cite the tremendous cost in man-days from hospitalization of servicemen with this condition, while the incidence in civilian life is low. This means, in part, that soldiers are hospitalized for infections which could be treated by civilians in the home. To a greater degree, it means that soldiers in a barrack or field environment suffer somewhat in personal hygiene, and in addition they are exposed to greater trauma from truck and