New surgical technique for the treatment of onychocryptosis

INTRODUCTION: Ingrown toenail is the leading cause of nail surgery. Techniques have been described for better exposure of the nail matrix in Grade III treatment, such as block excision of the hypertrophic skin margins and the subcutaneous nail blade involved, removing a semi-elliptic wedge and or L-incision, both advocating closure by suturing the skin and the nail blade. Authors describe the application of an incision technique at the intersection of the lateral and proximal nail fold to expose the matrix and the performing of a wedge in the cutaneous hypertrophy. At the site of the nail blade removal a fragment is left by second intention.
OBJECTIVE: To assess the comfort and effectiveness of the new surgical technique for onychocryptosis.
METHODS: Observational and retrospective study through the analysis of 29 patients with onychocryptosis who underwent the new technique.
RESULTS: Of the 34 nail folds (5 patients had 2 affected nail folds) submitted to surgery using the new technique, only one patient had recurrence in one of the folds and underwent a new intervention. No complaints of postoperative discomfort or complications were observed.
CONCLUSIONS: The applied technique was satisfactory, with a low recurrence rate, and also easy to perform, presenting no discomfort complaints from patients.

Keywords: onychocryptosis; ingrown toenail; operative treatment; surgical technique