Phenol chemical matricectomy is less painful, with shorter recovery times but higher recurrence rates, than surgical matricectomy: a patient's view.
BACKGROUND
Ingrown toenails have a tendency for recurrence. Operative interventions can be successful, and several procedures are in use.


OBJECTIVE
Retrospective evaluation, to reveal differences in postoperative pain, time to recovery, and satisfaction with the cosmetic outcome in patients treated with a phenol (PCM) or surgical matricectomy (SM).


METHODS
All matricectomy patients at the Dermatology Department of the Ludwigshafen City Hospital between 2004 and 2008 were interviewed over the telephone. Of 72 evaluable patients with a total of 112 ingrown nail sides, 33 were treated with PCM and 39 with SM. The patient group consisted of 40.3% women, the median age was 31.


RESULTS
Patients after PCM indicated two points less postoperative pain on an analogue scale from 0 to 10 (p<.001). In the PCM group, more patients recovered from the operation in less than 1 week (p=.007). Patient evaluation of cosmetic outcome was not different between the groups (p=.76), but recurrence rates were significantly higher in the PCM group (31.5%, vs 6.9% in the SM group, p=.006)


CONCLUSIONS
Both matricectomies have advantages and disadvantages. We should discuss these issues with our patients to help them decide on the kind of matricectomy.
Hassel
Jessica C
JC
Department of Dermatology, Ludwigshafen City Hospital, Ludwigshafen, Germany. j.hassel@dkfz.de
Hassel
Alexander J
AJ
Löser
Christoph
C
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002424:Caustics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002425:Cautery / Q000379:methods*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009263:Nails, Ingrown / Q000601:surgery*; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000517:prevention & control; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010636:Phenols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014945:Wound Healing; D055815:Young Adult
D002424:Caustics; D010636:Phenols