The effectiveness of matrix cauterization with trichloroacetic acid in the treatment of ingrown toenails

doi:10.4103/2229-5178.148912

. Jan-Feb 2015;6(1):4-8.

doi: 10.4103/2229-5178.148912.

The effectiveness of matrix cauterization with trichloroacetic acid in the treatment of ingrown toenails

Erdinc Terzi¹, Ulas Guvenc², Belma Türsen³, Tamer İrfan Kaya⁴, Teoman Erdem⁵, Ümit Türsen⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Dermatology, Yenikent State Hospital, Turkey.
² Department of Dermatology, Sanliurfa State Hospital, Sanliurfa, Turkey.
³ Department of Dermatology, Mersin State Hospital, Mersin, Turkey.
⁴ Department of Dermatology, Medical School, Mersin University, Mersin, Turkey.
⁵ Department of Dermatology, Medical School, Sakarya University, Sakarya, Turkey.

PMID: 25657908
PMCID: PMC4314888
DOI: 10.4103/2229-5178.148912

Free PMC article

The effectiveness of matrix cauterization with trichloroacetic acid in the treatment of ingrown toenails

Erdinc Terzi et al. Indian Dermatol Online J. Jan-Feb 2015.

Free PMC article

. Jan-Feb 2015;6(1):4-8.

doi: 10.4103/2229-5178.148912.

Authors

Erdinc Terzi¹, Ulas Guvenc², Belma Türsen³, Tamer İrfan Kaya⁴, Teoman Erdem⁵, Ümit Türsen⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Dermatology, Yenikent State Hospital, Turkey.
² Department of Dermatology, Sanliurfa State Hospital, Sanliurfa, Turkey.
³ Department of Dermatology, Mersin State Hospital, Mersin, Turkey.
⁴ Department of Dermatology, Medical School, Mersin University, Mersin, Turkey.
⁵ Department of Dermatology, Medical School, Sakarya University, Sakarya, Turkey.

PMID: 25657908
PMCID: PMC4314888
DOI: 10.4103/2229-5178.148912

Abstract

Ingrown toenail is an often painful clinical condition that usually affects the big toe. Chemical matricectomy with phenol has a low recurrence rate and good cosmetic results. However, it produces extensive tissue destruction that can result in drainage and delayed healing. Alternatives such as sodium hydroxide and trichloroacetic acid (TCA) have therefore come into vogue. A total of 39 patients with 56 ingrown toenail edges underwent chemical matricectomy with 90% TCA after partial nail avulsion. In most of the patients, adverse effects such as postoperative pain and drainage were minimal. One patient who underwent matricectomy had recurrence in a single nail edge (1.8%) at 12 months follow-up. No recurrence was observed among 38 patients during the mean follow-up period. This was considered to be statistically significant (P < 0.001). Partial nail avulsion followed by TCA matricectomy is a safe, simple, and effective method with low rates of postoperative morbidity and high rates of success.

Keywords: Ingrown toenail; matricectomy; trichloroacetic acid.

Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest: None declared.

Figures

**Figure 1**
Pretreatment image of a patient with ingrown toenail

**Figure 3**
Trichloroacetic acid application

**Figure 4**
Twelve months post treatment image of the same patient

See this image and copyright information in PMC

Cited by 2 articles

Comparative Efficacy of 10% Sodium Hydroxide, 88% Phenol, and 90% Trichloroacetic Acid as Chemical Cauterants for Partial Matricectomy in the Management of Great Toe Nail Onychocryptosis.
Ramesh S, Shenoi SD, Nayak SUK. Ramesh S, et al. J Cutan Aesthet Surg. 2020 Oct-Dec;13(4):314-318. doi: 10.4103/JCAS.JCAS_183_19. J Cutan Aesthet Surg. 2020. PMID: 33911412 Free PMC article.
A fast and effective solution for ingrown toenail: Creation of a 2-mm space between tissue and nail by sutureless lateral longitudinal excision.
Unal E, Yuksekdag S. Unal E, et al. Arch Dermatol Res. 2021 Nov;313(9):799-803. doi: 10.1007/s00403-020-02177-9. Epub 2021 Jan 12. Arch Dermatol Res. 2021. PMID: 33433721 Free PMC article.

References

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1. Altınyazar HC. Surgical treatment of ingrown nails. Turkiye Klinikleri J Int Med Sci. 2005;1:60–2.
1. Ozdemir E, Bostanci S, Ekmekci P, Gurgey E. Chemical matricectomy with 10% sodium hydroxide for the treatment of ingrowing toenails. Dermatol Surg. 2004;30:26–31. - PubMed
1. Erdogan FG. A simple, pain-free treatment for ingrown toenails complicated with granulation tissue. Dermatol Surg. 2006;32:1388–90. - PubMed
1. Siegle RJ, Stewart R. Recalcitrant ingrowing nails. Surgical approaches. J Dermatol Surg Oncol. 1992;18:744–52. - PubMed

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[1] Aksakal AB. Conservative treatment of ingrown nails. Turkiye Klinikleri J Int Med Sci. 2005;1:56–9.

[2] Aksakal AB. Conservative treatment of ingrown nails. Turkiye Klinikleri J Int Med Sci. 2005;1:56–9.

[3] Altınyazar HC. Surgical treatment of ingrown nails. Turkiye Klinikleri J Int Med Sci. 2005;1:60–2.

[4] Altınyazar HC. Surgical treatment of ingrown nails. Turkiye Klinikleri J Int Med Sci. 2005;1:60–2.

[5] Ozdemir E, Bostanci S, Ekmekci P, Gurgey E. Chemical matricectomy with 10% sodium hydroxide for the treatment of ingrowing toenails. Dermatol Surg. 2004;30:26–31. - PubMed

[6] Ozdemir E, Bostanci S, Ekmekci P, Gurgey E. Chemical matricectomy with 10% sodium hydroxide for the treatment of ingrowing toenails. Dermatol Surg. 2004;30:26–31. - PubMed

[7] Erdogan FG. A simple, pain-free treatment for ingrown toenails complicated with granulation tissue. Dermatol Surg. 2006;32:1388–90. - PubMed

[8] Erdogan FG. A simple, pain-free treatment for ingrown toenails complicated with granulation tissue. Dermatol Surg. 2006;32:1388–90. - PubMed

[9] Siegle RJ, Stewart R. Recalcitrant ingrowing nails. Surgical approaches. J Dermatol Surg Oncol. 1992;18:744–52. - PubMed

[10] Siegle RJ, Stewart R. Recalcitrant ingrowing nails. Surgical approaches. J Dermatol Surg Oncol. 1992;18:744–52. - PubMed

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