Partial Matricectomy with Curettage vs Partial Matricectomy with Phenolization in the Treatment of Ingrown Toe Nail; A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Ingrown toe nail (IGTN) is a painful condition in which the distal-lateral corner of the nail grows into its surrounding soft tissue leading to inflammation and infection. Failure of conservative therapy is an indication for surgical interventions. The aim of this study is to compare matricectomy by curettage with chemical matricectomy with phenol 88% in terms of post procedure remission and complications.Methods: A number of 18 patients with IGTN were selected and divided randomly into 9-subject groups. The first group underwent matricectomy by curettage and the second underwent chemical matricectomy with phenol 88%. Patients were assessed after 2, 7 days and 1, 4 months after surgery for pain, oozing, soft tissue inflammation, cellulitis or purulent discharge and recurrence in both of the groups and the results were statistically compared.Results: On the third post procedure day, pain and oozing discharge occurred less in curettage group with significant difference (P = 0.016 and 0.009). In our next visit, one week after procedure, there was no significant difference in recovery and post procedure complications (P = 0.475). In our visit, 4 weeks after procedure, all cases in both groups were completely healed for all parameters and no complication was found.Conclusion: Curettage partial matricectomy is superior to phenol matricectomy in achieving earlier release of post procedure symptoms and complete recovery.