The purpose of this study was to compare the results of the Chevron osteotomy to the DuVries' modification of the McBride procedure using identical criteria in two groups of patients. Thirty-two patients (48 feet) that had a Chevron osteotomy and 10 patients (17 feet) who had a modified McBride bunionectomy without metatarsal osteotomy for treatment of mild to moderate hallux valgus were retrospectively reviewed using subjective and objective criteria. Both groups were matched according to age, severity of deformity, and length of follow-up. Ninety-two percent of patients in the Chevron group and 88% of patients in the McBride group responded that they were either totally satisfied or improved regarding pain relief and appearance of the foot following surgery. Chevron osteotomy resulted in a statistically significant greater correction of the intermetatarsal 1-2 angle than did the McBride bunionectomy. Postoperative metatarsophalangeal joint range of motion was not significantly different for the two groups. Following Chevron osteotomy, five (10%) metatarsal heads exhibited radiographic changes of cyst formation and/or increased osteodensity and three (6%) of the osteotomies healed in a malunited position. One of the three metatarsal head malunions occurred in a patient that also had a lateral capsular release, however, none of the five cases that developed radiographic changes in the first metatarsal head was associated with a lateral capsular release. Lateral capsular release with the Chevron osteotomy did not improve the amount of correction of the hallux valgus deformity and it may be a contributing factor to instability at the osteotomy site leading to a valgus malunion.