CLINICAL STUDY ON 103 OPERATED CASES OF INGRWON NAIL

Ingrown nail is not uncommon, but the disease has been rarely subjected to some studies up to now. In this paper 103 lesions of 80 patients with ingrown nail of the first toe operated on at our hospital from April 1989 to October 1991 are presented in terms of operative procedures, with some discussion. Patients with ingrown nail were predominant in their teens or twenties, representing about two-third of all patients. The male-to-female ratio was 1:1.2, showing a predominance in women. Somewhat larger number of lesions were located in the right side. Many lesions in both right and left sides were commonly found in the outside region. Postoperative recurrence was noted in 11 cases (10.7%), of which lesions were mostly found in the right inside or left outside areas. These recurrence patterns were: appearenece of spire of the nail in 6 cases; recurrence of ingrown nail in 4; and epidermoid cyst formation in one. In the treatment of ingrown nail, surgical treatment is recommended at present, though, the importance of more careful and certain operation would be emphasized.