BACKGROUND Ingrown nails are a very common problem. There are different stages of disease
and diverse therapeutic options. Phenol and sodium hydroxide are commonly used
agents for chemical matricectomy but both frequently entail excessive healing
times. OBJECTIVE This prospective study aimed mainly to evaluate the efficacy of partial nail
avulsion and selective chemical cauterization of the matrix using 80% TCA in the
treatment of the ingrowing nail. METHODS One-hundred-and-thirty-three patients with 197 ingrown toenails were included in
this study. Preoperatively, we tried to find predisposing factors to the disease.
In the postoperative period, patients were evaluated for potential complications
at days 3, 30, 180, 270 and 360. Pain was measured before surgery, as well as 24
hours and 72 hours after surgery. RESULTS There were only 3 cases (out of 197) of ingrown nail recurrence. Preoperatively,
we found the presence of drainage in 82% of patients, which, following the first
visit after surgery, was reduced to 19%. Persistent granulation tissue was found
in 3% of the patients (versus 75% prior to surgery). The most frequent
predisposing factors for the ingrown nail were excessive trimming of the lateral
nail plate (63%), plantar hyperhidrosis (58%) and heavy nail folds (39%). Pain was
substantially reduced after surgery. CONCLUSION It is assumed that chemical procedures for the ingrown toenail are associated
with delayed healing times but our results demonstrated quick recovery. Using 80%
TCA for selective matricectomy in the ingrown toenail is an effective, quick and
easy method.