Segmental Phenolization for the Treatment of in Growing Toenails

Background: Ingrown toe nail is a common condition which causes lot of discomfort and morbidity. Though ingrown toenail recognized since long, a satisfactory treatment remains elusive. The range of treatment is from conservative management to amputation of distal part of big toe, but the quest for the ideal procedure remains. Many of the procedures used for treating this painful condition cause considerable discomfort and have high failure rates. Objectives: Assessing the efficacy of the procedure partial excision, curate of the opposite matrix and phenolization in the treatment of the ingrown toe nail. Patients and methods: A 60 patients with ingrown toe nail managed as an outpatient has been studded prospectively for the efficacy of the procedure partial excision, curate of the opposite matrix and phenolization. The study done in diala, baquba over the period from 1996-2009. Different age groups, both males and females are included in the study. The age range was 15-60 years. Results: There was no recurrence in the sample taken,the procedure was simple ,accepted by all of the patients with excellent aesthetic results and can be achieved as an outpatient. Conclusion: Phenol cauterization is an excellent surgical method for the treatment of ingrown toenails, being simple and associated with low morbidity, high aesthetic results and a high success rate, even over the long term