Success rates of multiple treatments for ingrown nails

초록

Background: An ingrown nail is a common condlition of inflammation and infection that can occur when nails are clipped too much or pressure is applied by tight shoes. In Korea, a study on the success of tube insertion after nail guttering has been reported, but studies including other treatments are lacking.Objective: To evaluate the success rates of three treatments for ingrown nails: 1) nail splinting via a flexible tube; 2) partial nail extraction and electrocautery; or 3) partial nail extraction and phenol cauterization.Methods: Fifty-one patients who underwent nail splinting via a flexible tube or partial nail extraction followed by either electrocautery or phenol cauterization of the nail matrix over a 6-year period at our hospital were evaluated for treatment outcome. The disease severity was classified using the Heifetz grading scale. We evaluated the success rates of the various treatments according to reduced disease severity, Treatment failure was defmed as persistence or re-occurrence of disease symptoms.Results: 1. Out of 51 cases of ingrown nails, 31 (60%) showed no recurrence after treatment. 2. There were conificting results between the severity grade and success rate. 3. Treatment via partial nail extraction and either electrocautery or phenol cauterization was more effective (success rates of 63% and 60%, respectively) than nail splinting via a flexible tube (56% success rate). However, the results were not statistically significant.Conclusion: Selecting the proper therapeutic method is important for successful treatment of an ingrown nail.

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