title: Phenol cauterization for ingrown toenails.
abstract: A new clinic was set up to deal with all toenail problems referred to a large general hospital. Ingrowing toenails were the commonest problem dealt with and phenol cauterization, either partial or complete, was the standard form of treatment. Over a 2-year period 1013 phenol cauterizations were carried out on 631 patients. After a minimum of 12 months follow-up, the recurrence rate was 2.96%. All recurrences were successfully treated by repeat phenol cauterization. We conclude that phenol cauterization should replace surgical ablation in the treatment of ingrown toenails.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002425:Cautery; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009263:Nails, Ingrown / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000601:surgery; D010636:Phenols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012008:Recurrence; D012086:Reoperation; D014034:Toes
chemical_list: D010636:Phenols