Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Ingrown toenail is a painful illness which affects daily life negatively. Many methods have been defined in the treatment of this illness. The Heifetz method is one of the frequently used surgical treatment. In this study, we examined the results of the Heifetz method retrospectively. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 73 ingrown toenail cases of 62 patients who were treated by using the Heifetz method in our clinic between 2012 and 2016. Age, sex, affected foot and finger side, Heifetz classification, reccurrence rate, time for return to work and patient satisfaction are evaluated. RESULTS: Average age of the patients was 23,77 (distribution: 10-70). Eighteen (24,6%) were phase 2, 55 finger (75,4%) were phase 3 according to the Heifetz classification. Thirty five patients (56,4%) were male, 27 patients (45,6%) were female. Fifteen cases (24,2%) were right foot, 36 cases were (58%) left foot, 11 cases (17,8%) were bilateral 1st toe. Twenty two (30,1%) had medial side ingrown, 39 cases had (53,4%) lateral side ingrown, 12 cases (16,5%) had both medial and lateral side ingrown. Patients had been kept in track for 17,6 months on average (distribution: 6-41 months) Patients returned to work in 28 days on average (distribution: 20-46 days). Sutures had been removed on the 14th day on average (distribution: 11-16 days). Recurrence was observed in 6 cases (8%). Recurrences were observed in the postoperative 2nd month on average (distribution: 1-3 months). None of the patients had osteomyelitis or any serious complication. Fifty eight patient (91,9%) declared that they were satisfied with the surgical operation applied under DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Heifetz method is a successful treatment option for patients with ingrown toenail.

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