Comparison of the Winograd method and chemical cauterization with 10% sodium hydroxide for treating ingrown toenails

Abstract

Background and Design:This study was performed to assess the therapeutic outcomes of the surgical method, described by Winograd and chemical cauterization with sodium hydroxide in patients with Heifetz stage 2 and 3 ingrown toenail (recurrence, complication, improvement and time to regain activity). Materials and Methods: One-hundred patients who presented to the outpatient clinics of orthopedics, general surgery and dermatology with the complaints of pain, redness and discharge in the toenail between January 2010 and January 2012 and who failed to respond to conservative treatment and were diagnosed with Heifetz stage 2 and 3 ingrown toenail. Fifty patients underwent chemical cauterization with sodium hydroxide while 50 underwent Winograd surgery. Results: The patients were followed up for a year at 2-month intervals. While no recurrence was observed in patients who received chemical cauterization, five patients who underwent Winograd surgery had recurrence (p=0.022). Three patients receiving Winograd surgery were found to have superficial wound side infection on postoperative follow-up (p=0.08). Patients, who underwent chemical cauterization with sodium hydroxide, were detected to improve and return to normal activity in a shorter period. Conclusion: Chemical cauterization of the germinal matrix with 10% sodium hydroxide is a convenient method with a low rate of complication and recurrence compared to the Winograd surgery in the treatment of ingrown toenails.