Comparison of efficacy of phenol and sodium hydroxide matricectomies for management of ingrown toenails

ABSTRACT

To compare the efficacy of Phenol and Sodium Hydroxide Matricectomies in terms of frequency of pain and wound healing in the management of Ingrown Toenails. Randomized Clinical Trial Out Patient Department of Surgery Combined Military Hospital Kharian from Aug 2010 to Feb 2011. A total of 140 cases with Ingrown Toenails were selected and randomly divided into two groups of 70 each. Cases of Group A and B were subjected to Phenol Matricectomy [PMC] and Sodium Hydroxide Matricectomy [SHMC] respectively. Postoperative pain was comparatively and Southampton Wound Grade for wound healing were analyzed at 2[nd] and 10[th] postop day. Mean age of Group A was 28.86 +/- 6.423 whereas that of Group B was 28.80 +/- 5.997. Group A had 58 [83%] males and 12 [17%] females. Group B had 48 [69%] males and 22 [31%] females. Postoperative pain was comparatively less in group A with statistical difference between two groups on 2[nd] day [p = 0.014], whereas it was less intense in group B with no statistical significant difference on 10[th] day [p=0.662]. Wound healing was better in group B with statistical difference between two groups on 2[nd] [p = 0.022] and 10[th] day [p = 0.024]. Group B [91.4%] had more statistically significant efficacy than Group A [71.4%] [p = 0.004]. SHMC is superior to PMC in reducing pain and improving wound healing for managing Ingrown Toenails