BACKGROUND: For treatment of ingrown toenails, a phenolization is often chosen. Many reports describe an intra-operative irrigation, or lavage, of the wound with alcohol to neutralize any residual phenol. There are conflicting reports in the literature as to whether a true neutralization is required or merely effective removal of excess phenol. We hypothesized that intra-operative irrigation with 70% alcohol after the application of phenol does not remove enough phenol and a quantity of phenol still remains in the wound nail fold performing its action. OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to analyze the suitability and effectiveness of the alcohol lavage step during the treatment of ingrown toenails with a phenolization procedure. METHODS: We performed an in vivo study in 29 patients who underwent unilateral phenol chemical matricectomy to measure the amount of phenol remaining after five irrigations with a total of 15 ml of alcohol. RESULTS: There were measurable amounts of phenol collected after five alcohol irrigation steps, suggesting that phenol was not neutralized by the alcohol. After the first irrigation, only 45.74% of phenol was eliminated. An additional 12 ml of alcohol were necessary to eliminate the remaining 54.25% in the nail bed. CONCLUSIONS: A single alcohol lavage step after the phenolization procedure did not eliminate enough phenol. However, 15 ml of alcohol can serve as a suitable and effective means of diluting and removing any excess or residual phenol from the exposed area by its drag effect.
BACKGROUND: For treatment of ingrown toenails, a phenolization is often chosen. Many reports describe an intra-operative irrigation, or lavage, of the wound with alcohol to neutralize any residual phenol. There are conflicting reports in the literature as to whether a true neutralization is required or merely effective removal of excess phenol. We hypothesized that intra-operative irrigation with 70% alcohol after the application of phenol does not remove enough phenol and a quantity of phenol still remains in the wound nail fold performing its action. OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to analyze the suitability and effectiveness of the alcohol lavage step during the treatment of ingrown toenails with a phenolization procedure. METHODS: We performed an in vivo study in 29 patients who underwent unilateral phenol chemical matricectomy to measure the amount of phenol remaining after five irrigations with a total of 15 ml of alcohol. RESULTS: There were measurable amounts of phenol collected after five alcohol irrigation steps, suggesting that phenol was not neutralized by the alcohol. After the first irrigation, only 45.74% of phenol was eliminated. An additional 12 ml of alcohol were necessary to eliminate the remaining 54.25% in the nail bed. CONCLUSIONS: A single alcohol lavage step after the phenolization procedure did not eliminate enough phenol. However, 15 ml of alcohol can serve as a suitable and effective means of diluting and removing any excess or residual phenol from the exposed area by its drag effect.