Long-term follow-up of patients who underwent surgery for chronic paronychia

Introduction: Chronic paronychia is an inflammatory disease of the proximal nail fold that usually lasts for more than six weeks. Surgical of removal the proximal nail fold is recommended in cases that are resistant to clinical treatment. Objective: To analyze the long-term response to the surgical treatment of chronic paronychia. Methods: Prospective cohort study of 62 patients who had undergone surgical treatment to correct chronic paronychia from November 2004 to April 2008. The patients were asked to return for reassessment and clinical observation of the presence or absence of signs of chronic paronychia and were classified into two groups: cured and uncured. Results: Of the 62 patients, 12 attended the clinical reassessment, for a total of 31 procedures for analysis. The average length of patient follow-up was 5 years and 2 months. The results were maintained in 27 (87%) of the procedures performed. Conclusions: Surgical removal of the proximal nail fold is a good option for the treatment of chronic paronychia due to its simplicity, effectiveness, and long-lasting results.

Keywords: PARONYCHIA, NAIL DISEASES, AMBULATORY SURGICAL PROCEDURES