A comparison of electrosurgery and sharp debridement in the treatment of chronic neurovascular, neurofibrous and hard corns. A pragmatic randomised controlled trial.

A randomised controlled trial was undertaken to compare treatment outcomes for neurovascular, neurofibrous and hard corns. Patients with suitable lesions were referred from community clinics within Manchester PCT. Fifty-nine subjects were enrolled into the study and randomised to one of two treatment groups; group (a) those treated with electrosurgery and (b) a control group treated with standard sharp debridement. The principle outcome measure was the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) pain score (0, no pain; 10, worst pain experienced) and lesions were categorised as demonstrating no change, partial or complete resolution. Data were analysed using 'Intention to Treat' methodology, i.e. analysis of data from subjects randomised to each group (electrosurgery group n=34; control group n=25). The results show a statistically significant reduction in pain in group (a) as reported at the 6 month review (p=0.0001) with a complete and partial resolution rate of 26% and 50%, respectively compared with group (b) whose pain level reduction was not significant and which showed resolution rates of 4% and 28% only.