A prospective randomized comparison of the Zadik procedure and chemical ablation in the treatment of ingrown toenails.
BACKGROUND
We present the results of a prospective randomized trial of the Zadik procedure versus chemical ablation by sodium hydroxide for the treatment of ingrowing toenails.


METHODS
Thirty-eight patients had the Zadik procedure, and 45 patients had chemical ablation by sodium hydroxide. Mean followup was 12.45 months for the Zadik group and 11.69 months for the chemical ablation group.


RESULTS
In the Zadik group, the average return to normal shoe-wear was 2.13 weeks and in the chemical ablation group 3.73 weeks. Average return to normal activity was 2.18 weeks for the Zadik group and 3.89 weeks for the chemical ablation group. The median number of dressings were 3 and 8 for the Zadik and chemical ablation groups, respectively. The pain score, using the visual analogue scale were not statistically significant between the two groups. The recurrence rates were 23 recurrences in the Zadik group (60.5%) and seven recurrences in the chemical ablation group (15.6%).


CONCLUSIONS
The use of chemical ablation by sodium hydroxide in the treatment of ingrowing toenails shows statistically significant (p < 0.05) reduction in recurrence rates of ingrowing toenails compared to the Zadik procedure.
Shaath
Nebal
N
Barnsley General Hospital, Orthopaedic Department, Pogmoor Road, Barnsley, Yorkshire S75 2ET, United Kingdom. Shaathnabal@hotmail.com
Shea
John
J
Whiteman
Ian
I
Zarugh
Adel
A
D000328:Adult; D002424:Caustics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009263:Nails, Ingrown / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000601:surgery; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012008:Recurrence; D012972:Sodium Hydroxide / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D002424:Caustics; D012972:Sodium Hydroxide