Abstract:

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Neck drowning is a frequent and painful condition that affects the daily life. There are many methods for the treatment of this disease. Heifetz method is one of the frequently used surgical methods. In this study, the facts treated with the Heifetz method were evaluated as retrospective. Method and Requirements: In our clinic, 62 patients treated with the Heifetz method between 2012-2016 were considered retrospective for 73 foot-finger nails. These patients were assessed age, gender, holding foot and finger side, Heifetz stages, repetition rate, return to work and satisfaction conditions. The average age of patients was 23.77 (distribution: 10-70 years). According to Heifetz's evolution, 18 fingers (24.6 percent) were stage 2, 55 fingers stage 3 (75.4 percent). 35 (56.4%) were men, 27 patients (45,6%) were women. 15 of the patients (24.2 percent) were right foot, 36 (58 percent) left foot, and 11 (17.8 percent) bilateral holding. In 39 fingers (53.4 percent) the nails had a lateral side hold, in 22 fingers (30.1 percent) a medial side hold, in 12 fingers (16.5 percent) a bilateral side hold. 13 fingers (17.8%) had previously been performed surgery with the cause of nail swelling. Patients were followed for an average of 17.6 (distribution: 6-41 months) months. Patients returned to work within an average of 28 days (distribution: 20-46 days). The shakes were taken on average on the 14th day (distribution: 11-16 days). There was a repair in 6 fingers (8%). Four of the incidents observed were in the form of stage 1 (66%) and 2 in the form of stage 2 (33%). Recurrences were observed in the average 2 months after surgery (distribution: 1-3 months). No patient has developed osteomyelitis or any other serious complication. 57 percent (91.9 percent) of patients said they were satisfied with the surgical treatment. The Heifetz method is a successful treatment option in the cases of nail drowning.

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