Partial excision of matrix and phenolic ablation for the treatment of ingrowing toenail: a 36-month follow-up of 197 treated patients.

BACKGROUND: Several options for the treatment of ingrowing toenails are available, ranging from simple conservative approaches to extensive surgical procedures. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate in a long-term follow-up (36 months) the efficacy of chemical matricectomy with phenol for the treatment of ingrowing toenails. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A total of 197 phenol ablations were performed in 139 patients with stage 2 and 3 disease. Each patient was examined weekly until full wound healing was achieved and was followed for 36 months to assess the long-term efficacy of the treatment. The healing period after surgery ranged from 2 to 4 weeks; few postoperative complications were seen. RESULTS: Only three recurrences were observed (after 2, 4, and 11 months). Short-term results were excellent. No severe complications occurred during the 36-month follow-up period. Cosmetic results were remarkable. The success rate was 98.5%. CONCLUSIONS: Phenol cauterization is an excellent surgical method for the treatment of ingrowing toenails, being simple and associated with low morbidity and a high success rate, even over the long term (36 months).