Comparison of phenol applications of different durations for the cauterization of the germinal matrix: an efficacy and safety study

Objectives: Partial nail avulsion with phenol matricectomy is one of the most widely performed procedures for the treat¬ment of ingrowing nails. We compared phenol applications of different durations with respect to efficacy and safety. Methods: The study included 148 ingrowing nails (grade 2-3) of 110 patients (54 males, 56 females). The patients were randomized to three groups for 1-, 2-, and 3-minute applications of phenol cauterization of the germinal matrix following surgical removal of ingrowing nails. Postopera¬tive evaluations were made on days 2, 10, 16, 24, and 30 for pain, drainage, and tissue damage. Recurrences were recorded during a follow-up of 24 months. Results: Improvements in pain, drainage, and tissue damage in each group were significant (p<0.001). Time to complete healing and durations of drainage and tissue damage were significantly shorter in patients receiving 1-minute phenol application (p<0.001), and the remaining groups did not dif¬fer in this respect. The mean duration of pain was similar in three groups. While the frequencies of pain and tissue damage were similar in three phenol groups, the number of patients having drainage on day 16 was significantly lower with 1-minute phenol application (p<0.001). All recurrences appeared in the sixth month and there was no significant difference between the three groups with respect to the re¬currence rate. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that 1-minute phenol cauterization of the germinal matrix has a better safety profile than prolonged applications in the treatment of in¬grown nails.