ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND@#Pincer nail is a deformity of the nail that is characterized by the transverse overcurvature of the nail plate. Both conservative and surgical treatments can be used to treat pincer nail. However, there are no reports regarding non-surgical, laser treatment of pincer nail.@*OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate the treatment outcomes and adverse events of CO₂ fractional laser and topical agent combination therapy on pincer nail.@*METHODS@#Eleven pincer nails (all great toenails) were treated with a CO₂ fractional laser. An antifungal agent (in case of co-existing onychomycosis) or 20% urea cream was applied to the toenails. The effect of the treatment was measured by evaluating the difference in the width index, height index, and nail angle before and after treatment. Changes in pain levels were also evaluated. All adverse events and recurrences were observed until the last follow-up visit.@*RESULTS@#The mean number of laser treatments was 2.27 and the mean follow-up period was 18.36 weeks after the last treatment. All 3 measured indices changed significantly after the treatment. The width index increased by 0.16 (p=0.0016), the height index decreased by 1.89 (p=0.008), and the nail angle increased by 29.60° (p=0.005). The pain was reduced in all cases. There were no serious adverse events.@*CONCLUSION@#The combination of CO₂ fractional laser therapy and topical application is an effective and tolerable treatment for pincer nail. Larger studies with long-term observations are needed to confirm this result.