Roeya-e Rasul, Aamer Zaman Khan, Anum Almas Gill, Safina Begum.
Ingrown Toenails- Best Remedy?.
J Fatima Jinnah Med Uni Jan ;11(1):55-60.

Objective: To compare the recurrence of ingrown toenail after wedge matrix resection, nail matrix phenolisation and a combination of the two methods. Methods: This randomized control trial was carried out at the Department of Surgery-I, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Lahore, from January, 2016 to January, 2017. This study included 90 patients with ingrown toenails. They were randomly allocated into 3 treatment groups: Group A patients underwent wedge matrix resection after nail avulsion; in Group B, nail matrix was treated with phenol after nail avulsion; In group C, phenol was applied after nail avulsion and matrix resection. Outcome variables were recurrence, postoperative complications, healing time, time to return to work and patient satisfaction. Written and informed consent was taken from every patient. Results: Patients? ages ranged from 20-50 years, with a mean of 35.24±8.72 years. There were 63 (70%) males and 27 (30%) females. The right toe was affected in 46 (51.1%) patients; the left toe was affected in 34 (37.8%) patients. There was bilateral toe involvement in 10 (11.1%) patients. Stage 2 disease was seen in 48 patients (53.3%), stage 3 disease was seen in 42 patients (46.7%). There were no significant differences among the three groups in terms of age, gender distribution, toe laterality and stage of the disease (p>0.05). Post-operatively, patients were able to return to work significantly earlier in Group-B (5.5±1.11 vs. 9.93±1.41 vs. 12.53±1.55 days; p<.001) as compared to Groups C and A. The healing time was the shortest in Group-B (2.73±0.74 vs. 3.20±0.99 vs. 5.43±1.14, p=0.044) compared with groups C and A. Differences in recurrence and infection rates were insignificant among the 3 groups (p>0.05). Patient satisfaction was 100% in Groups B and C; it was 46.7% in Group A (p<0.001). Conclusion: Treatment of the nail matrix with phenol has the quickest healing rates, the earliest return to work and gives 100% patient satisfaction and so is the recommended method of treatment for ingrown toenail.

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