Long-Term Outcomes of Surgical and Chemical Matricectomy for Ingrown Toenail Management: A Retrospective Study

Matricectomy is an effective treatment method for ingrown toenails.

This study aimed to evaluate the outcomes of matricectomy procedures for ingrown toenails at a dermatology clinic, focusing on patient characteristics, recurrence rates, post-operative complications, and patient satisfaction.

Patient records from 2009 to 2023 for those undergoing surgical or chemical matricectomy for ingrown toenails in the dermatological surgery unit were retrospectively reviewed.

The study analyzed 300 matricectomies performed on 164 patients. Chemical matricectomy was performed on 97.6% (160 patients), while 2.4% (4 patients) underwent surgical matricectomy alone, and 20.7% (34 patients) received both surgical and chemical matricectomy. Healing times and prolonged pain showed no significant differences between surgical, sodium hydroxide, and phenol matricectomy. No significant relationship was identified between side effect development and factors such as diabetes mellitus, previous nail procedures, or the type of matricectomy (surgical, phenol, or sodium hydroxide). Recurrence rates ranked from lowest to highest as follows: combined surgical and chemical, sodium hydroxide, and phenol matricectomy; however, these differences were not statistically significant.

No significant difference was observed in recurrence rates, side effects, or patient satisfaction between surgical, sodium hydroxide, and phenol matricectomy procedures.