Radical surgery for ingrown nails by partial resection of the nail plate and matrix using a carbon dioxide laser.

BACKGROUND: We report here on the successful surgical treatment of ingrown nails by partial resection of the nail plate and matrix using a carbon dioxide laser. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The subjects of this study were 28 patients (37 cases) who visited our outpatient clinic with the chief complaint of ingrown nails of the great toe between October 1995 and October 1999. They included 12 males and 25 females. Patient age ranged from six to 72 years (mean 26.5 years), and the post operative follow-up period ranged from eight to 48 months (mean 23.2 months). RESULTS: Clinically, this treatment was excellent in terms of operating time reduction, mitigation of mid-operative and post-operative bleeding and pain, and treatment period reduction. Furthermore, no recurrences were observed during the study period. CONCLUSIONS: Judging from the good therapeutic results and improved quality of life of patients, this treatment is expected to be commonly used in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]