Follow-up study of patients treated for ingrown nails with the nail matrix phenolization method.

In the past 7 years, a total of 537 ingrown nail lesions were treated with the nail matrix phenolization method (NMP). A study was performed based on follow-up examinations and a questionnaire survey regarding recurrence rate, degree severity, duration of postoperative pain, and other relevant factors. The major advantages of the NMP revealed by our study were: (1) The surgical procedure is easy to perform and does not require specialized equipment; (2) total time requirement for surgery is minimal; (3) the operation can be performed in the presence of a concomitant infection; (4) the recurrence rate is low (1.1%); and (5) postoperative pain and postoperative bed rest is minimized. These results indicate that NMP is an extremely effective method for treatment of ingrown nails.