A comparative study between the efficacy of phenol and trichloroacetic acid in the treatment of ingrown toenail

Abstract

Background & Aim: Ingrown nails are a very common problem. There are different stages of disease and diverse therapeutic options. Phenol and trichloroacetic acid (TCA) are commonly used agents for chemical matricectomy.

This prospective study aimed mainly to evaluate the efficacy of selective chemical cauterization of the matrix using TCA or phenol in the treatment of the ingrowing nail.

METHODS: fifty two patients with fifty eight ingrown toenails were included in this study. Preoperatively, we tried to find predisposing factors to the disease. In the postoperative period, patients were evaluated for potential complications at days 5, 15, 20, and at months 3, 6,9,12.

RESULTS: There were 2 case (out of 27) of ingrown nail recurrence with phenol, and there were only 1 case (out of 31) of ingrown nail recurrence with TCA. preoperatively, we found the pain drainage, and infection were better with TCA en comparison with phenol. The most frequent predisposing factors for the ingrown nail were excessive trimming of the lateral nail plate (48.07%). 

Conclusion: our results demonstrated quick recovery by using TCA for selective matricectomy in the ingrown toenail more than phenol, and it is an effective, quick and easy method.