Background
Pilonidal disease is very common and is most often seen in young men in Turkey. Although too many methods are described for surgical treatment, recurrence rates are high. Recurrence rates may be reduced after lifting the natal cleft. This retrospective study was designed to compare the postoperative healing and recurrence rates between Limberg flap and Bascom cleft lift ttechniques.

Materials and Methods
A group of 50 patients were included in the study. Retrospective data were recorded, including early postoperative complications, quality of life and pain scores, length of time for healing and primary healing rate, length of hospital stay, early recurrences and excised tissue weight.

Result
Patients in the Bascom cleft lift group had shorter operation time, less excised tissue weight, better pain score, and less limitation of activity on postoperative day 7. There was no difference between groups for the other criteria statistically.

Conclusion
Both techniques provided good results. However Bascom cleft lift technique is more effective and reliable. It is applicable to all pilonidal sinus cases with low complication rates and high satisfaction scores because of rapid and excellent recovery.