title: Enhanced removal of phenol with saline solution over alcohol: an in vitro study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Phenol cauterization is a chemical equivalent often chosen for treatment of ingrown toenails. Many reports describe intraoperative irrigation, or lavage, of the wound with various types of alcohol to neutralize any remaining phenol. There are conflicting reports in the literature as to whether true neutralization or merely effective removal of excess phenol is needed.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of our study was to analyze the suitability and effectiveness of ethyl alcohol versus sterile saline when used in a lavage step after phenol application in the treatment of ingrown toenails.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed an in vitro study using human skin and a diffusion cell apparatus to measure the amount of phenol recovered after lavage with ethyl alcohol or sterile saline.
  
  
  RESULTS
  When the wound was irrigated with ethyl alcohol, the total phenol recovered after two irrigation washes was 55.7% of the original amount initially used in treatment, compared with 80.4% when sterile saline solution was used for irrigation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Alcohol and sterile saline solution do not neutralize phenol but dilute it and aid in its removal. We found that saline solution recovered more phenol than when washing with alcohol and recommend its use instead of alcohol for irrigation purposes after chemical matrixectomy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Damian
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cordoba Diaz
authors.forename: Marta Elena
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Losa Iglesias
authors.forename: Manuel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cordoba Diaz
authors.forename: Ricardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Becerro de Bengoa Vallejo
mesh_terms: D002425:Cautery; D000431:Ethanol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D009263:Nails, Ingrown / Q000628:therapy*; D019800:Phenol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation
chemical_list: D019800:Phenol; D000431:Ethanol; D012965:Sodium Chloride