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%).

CONCLUSION

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.