What are the surgical options for an ingrown toenail?

Ingrown toe nails are a common problem that occurs when the edge of the nail grows into the surrounding epidermis, resulting in discomfort, inflammation, and redness. If left untreated, ingrown toe nails can lead to an infection, abscess, and also a loss of the toe in serious cases. Whilst there are several non-surgical therapy for ingrown nails, at times surgical intervention may well be necessary to fix the signs and symptoms preventing additional complications. There are plenty of surgical options for ingrown toenails, each with its own benefits and drawbacks. A prevalent operative technique is part nail removal, in which the side of the toe nail is taken away combined with the root toe nail bed. It's usually carried out with local anesthesia and consists of cutting a V-shaped wedge in the toenail and removing it. The toenail bed will then be treated to counteract regrowth of the toe nail, and also the wound is dressed and capable to heal over a couple of weeks.

Partial toe nail removal works well for treating ingrown toenails and has a high rate of success. Phenol is usually used to get rid of the growing section of the toe nail following this, however there can be a phenol burn following nail removal. However, it could be painful and might bring about some temporary impairment, as the toe should be held elevated and rested for a while following the treatment. Furthermore, we have a potential for infection, bleeding, along with toenail re-growth, that could require even further operative intervention. A phenol burn is also a comp0lication that will need further treatment. A different surgical technique for ingrown toenails is total nail avulsion, in which the full nail is taken off. Normally, this is carried out under local anesthesia and involves cutting the toenail down to the toenail bed and removing this. The toenail bed is then dealt with to prevent re-growth of the toenail, and the wound is dressed and permitted to heal over a few weeks.

Entire nail avulsion is a great method for managing ingrown nails and it has a very high rate of success. Nevertheless, it could be painful and may end in some temporary disability, as the toe needs to be held elevated and also rested for a few days after the surgery. On top of that, there is a potential for an infection, post-op bleeding, and also toenail regrowth, that might call for more surgical treatment. A newer technique for the treatment of ingrown toenails is the usage of laser surgery. With this approach, a laser is employed to take out the edge of the nail along with the underlying toe nail bed. The laser seals the arteries and also nerve endings, which results in minimal bleeding, swelling, and discomfort. The wound is dressed and allowed to recover over a couple of weeks.

Surgical procedures are efficient in treating ingrown toenails and will give relief from discomfort and pain. Partial and total nail removals are conventional surgical techniques that have a high success rate however they are associated with some discomfort, disability, and also risks. Laser surgery is a newer method that is minimally invasive and connected with minimum discomfort and risks but might be more expensive. In the end, the choice of surgical method is dependent upon the degree of the ingrown nail, the patient's choices, and the surgeon's practical experience.

Craig Payne is a University lecturer, runner, cynic, researcher, skeptic, forum admin, woo basher, clinician, rabble-rouser, blogger and a dad.