In-growing toe nail results of segmental matrix excision

In-growing toenails commonly affect young men hampering the quality of life. There are many methods to treat in-growing toe nail but most of them have high recurrence rates and poor patient satisfaction. We describe our results of segmental matrix excision for correction of ingrowing toe nails.

It is a retrospective study over a period of 2 years. Patients with symptomatic in-growing toe nails with stage II and III were operated by technique of segmental matrix excision. All patients were available for follow-up at ∼1 year.

90 patients, 59 males and 31females with ingrowing nail of great toe (108 toes and 120 surgical sites) that underwent correction of by segmental matrix excision. Patient's age ranged from 19 to 59 years. There was involvement of right great toe in 42 patients, left great toe in 30 patients and bilateral toes in 18 patients. 12 great toes were affected on both sides (74 lateral sides and 46 medial sides of toes). 15/90 (16.6%) patients had history of previous failed surgery by nail plate avulsion. Complications include bleeding (n = 1), infection (n = 2). On average follow up of ∼1 year, there was only 1 recurrence. There was no loss of cutaneous innervation or osteomyelitis. All patients went back to their normal activity on 10th day.

Segmental matrix excision should be considered as the treatment of choice for ingrowing toe nail because of high cure rate, less pain, low risk of postoperative infection, and results in good cosmetic result.