Background: Ingrowing toenail is one of the most common nail complaints. Although many surgical treatments are described for complicated nails, frequent recurrence of pain and postoperative disability necessitate finding an appropriate treatment.
Methods: In a clinical trial, we compared the Winograd and sleeve (gutter) surgical methods to find a simple, painless, and practical alternative.
Results: Of 100 patients (mean 27.8) included in the study, 50 underwent Winograd surgery and the rest the sleeve method. Postoperative infection occurred in four (8%) patients in the sleeve and three (6%) in the Winograd group. The condition reoccurred in five (10%) patients who underwent sleeve surgery and six (12%) who underwent Winograd. Recurrence rate was higher in female patients, although the difference was not statistically significant. Mean surgery duration for Winograd and sleeve methods was 15.7 minutes and 9.4 minutes, respectively, and postoperative work day loss was 2.0 weeks and 1.1 weeks, respectively.
Conclusion: The sleeve method seems to be more practical and appropriate for patients planning to go back to work sooner and better fulfills the main characteristics for the primary treatment of choice. The authors have indicated no significant interest with commercial supporters.
© 2011 by the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, Inc.