[The experience of caring for people with eating disorders: a qualitative study of nurses' perspectives].

BACKGROUND: Eating disorders (ED) are an increasingly prevalent problem with serious consequences for different spheres of life. This study aims to analyze nurses' perspectives and experiences of the care provided to people diagnosed with an ED. METHODS: Hermeneutical phenomenological qualitative study. Nineteen nurses from Alcalá de Henares (Madrid) collab-orated in the research sharing their experience through interviews and stories, which were recorded, transcribed and analyzed thematically. RESULTS: Three issues were obtained: a fight between the heart and mind, conscious reflection: the body says what the head keeps silent and learning how to care holistically. Nurses experience a struggle with their feelings of transference / countertransference when caring for patients. They set out to combine skills acquired from their experience with new research, without losing sight of the individual and the factors involved (family, society and work), which are key to understand the patient's experience and recovery. CONCLUSIONS: Nurses need more specialization, ongoing training, coordination and teamwork with other professionals to provide people with holistic care. Gender perspectives should be taken into account to enable care to be adapted to the needs of men and women. This study takes an in-depth look at the care relationship between nurse and patient, to obtain a hitherto unknown perspective of care, which makes it possible to expand knowledge and individualize the care provided.

La experiencia de cuidar a personas con trastornos alimentarios: un estudio cualitativo desde la perspectiva del profesional de enfermería / The experience of caring for people with eating disorders: a qualitative study of nurses' perspectives

FUNDAMENTO: Los trastornos de la conducta alimentaria (TCA), cada vez más prevalentes, tienen graves consecuencias sobre las diferentes esferas de la vida. El objetivo es analizar la visión y experiencia de profesionales de Enfermería sobre los cuidados prestados a personas diagnosticadas de un TCA. MÉTODO: Estudio cualitativo fenomenológico hermenéutico. Diecinueve enfermeras de Alcalá de Henares (Madrid) colaboraron en la investigación aportando su experiencia a través de entrevistas y relatos que fueron grabados, transcritos y analizados temáticamente. RESULTADOS: Se obtuvieron tres temas: una lucha entre cabeza y corazón, una reflexión consciente: el cuerpo dice lo que la cabeza calla, y aprender a cuidar de manera holística. El profesional experimenta una lucha con sus sentimientos de transferencia / contratransferencia a la hora de cuidar a los pacientes, trata de combinar los conocimientos fruto de la experiencia con las nuevas investigaciones, y considera la individualidad de la persona y todos los elementos implicados (familia, sociedad u ocupación) que resultan claves para el entendimiento de la vivencia del paciente y su recuperación. CONCLUSIONES: Es necesaria la especialización de las enfermeras, la formación continuada, la coordinación y el trabajo en equipo con otros profesionales para cuidar de manera holística a la persona. La perspectiva de género debe tenerse en cuenta para adaptar los cuidados a las necesidades de hombres y mujeres. Este estudio profundiza en la relación de cuidados entre enfermera y paciente, obteniendo una perspectiva desconocida de cuidados que posibilita ampliar el conocimiento e individualizar los cuidados prestados

BACKGROUND: Eating disorders (ED) are an increasingly prevalent problem with serious consequences for different spheres of life. This study aims to analyze nurses' perspectives and experiences of the care provided to people diagnosed with an ED. METHODS: Hermeneutical phenomenological qualitative study. Nineteen nurses from Alcalá de Henares (Madrid) collaborated in the research sharing their experience through interviews and stories, which were recorded, transcribed and analyzed thematically. RESULTS: Three issues were obtained: a fight between the heart and mind, conscious reflection: the body says what the head keeps silent and learning how to care holistically. Nurses experience a struggle with their feelings of transference / countertransference when caring for patients. They set out to combine skills acquired from their experience with new research, without losing sight of the individual and the factors involved (family, society and work), which are key to understand the patient's experience and recovery. CONCLUSIONS: Nurses need more specialization, ongoing training, coordination and teamwork with other professionals to provide people with holistic care. Gender perspectives should be taken into account to enable care to be adapted to the needs of men and women. This study takes an in-depth look at the care relationship between nurse and patient, to obtain a hitherto unknown perspective of care, which makes it possible to expand knowledge and individualize the care provided

Skin temperature in youth soccer players with functional equinus and non-equinus condition after running.

OBJECTIVES: To check how a thermal IR camera can check skin temperature in gastrocnemius-soleus equinus condition and non-gastrocnemius-soleus condition in youth soccer players and thus detect association between the extensibility of the triceps surae (with gastrocnemius-soleus equinus and non-gastrocnemius-soleus equinus) and the muscle temperature pattern. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study secondary level of care. METHODS: Sample from an elite soccer academy in Madrid (Spain) 35 healthy male subjects (youth soccer players) age 12.82 ± 1.07 years, height 158.68 ± 10.79 cm, weight 49.19 ± 9.45 kg, body mass index 19.41 ± 2.25. The exclusion criteria were the presence of musculoskeletal and joint injuries, pelvic pain, ankle sprains, low back pain and use of drugs in the previous week, and scoliosis. RESULTS: Temperature value for gastrocnemius muscles and Achilles tendon were assessed in 35 youth soccer players from an academia before and after training in both 12 gastrocnemius-soleus equinus and 23 non-gastrocnemius-soleus equinus soccer players conditions. State absolute for gastrocnemius soleus condition obtained a 0.34 value (0.19-0.5); we found a significant increase in temperature among these conditions for the gastrocnemius (P = 0.028) and the Achilles tendon (P = 0.007) (confidence interval 95%). The temperature of gastrocnemius-soleus equinus for gastrocnemius and Achilles tendon was increased more than non-gastrocnemius-soleus equinus in youth soccer players. CONCLUSIONS: IR imaging captured temperature is associated with muscle pattern activation for lower limb. Based on our findings, we propose that infrared thermography evaluation of the gastrocnemius and Achilles tendon is suitable to differ gastrocnemius-soleus equinus and non-gastrocnemius-soleus equinus conditions in youth soccer players.

Impact of the mechanical hyperkeratotic lesions and its association with quality of life: An observational case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Mechanical hyperkeratotic lesions (MHL) are common condition amongst population of all ages. Such problems may be associated with pain, reduction in mobility, changes of gait and risk of falls and is believed to affect the quality of life (QoL), general health and optimal foot health. OBJECTIVE: The main aim of this study was to describe and compare both foot and general health-related QoL in two groups of participants: (i) with MHL and (ii) healthy controls. METHOD: A total sample of 150 patients, mean age 49.50 ± 36.50 years, was recruited from an outpatient clinic. Demographic data, medical history and clinical characteristics of overall health were determined, and the obtained values were compared by the Foot Health Status Questionnaire (FHSQ). RESULTS: The FHSQ scores of the sample with MHL showed lower scores than control subjects in sections one and two for footwear, general and foot health, foot pain, foot function and physical activity (P < 0.01), but not for social capacity and vigour (P > 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: People with MHL showed a decrease in QoL, based on FHSQ scores, regardless of gender.

Impact on quality of life related to foot health in a sample of menopausal women: a case-control observational study.

OBJECTIVE: To describe and compare the impact of foot health and health in general on quality of life in a sample of menopausal women and non-menopausal women with normalized reference values. METHODS: A total of 146 participants with a mean age of 50.51 ± 3.977 years came to a health center where self-reported data were registered. Participants were divided into menopausal and non-menopausal groups. Scores obtained were compared by the Foot Health Status Questionnaire (FHSQ), which assesses four foot health domains: pain, function, general health and footwear. RESULTS: The menopausal women showed a lower quality of life related to health in general and to foot health specifically. Differences between the two groups were evaluated by means of a t-test for independent samples, showing statistical significance in foot pain, general foot health and social capacity (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Menopausal women had a lower quality of life related to foot health, which appears to be associated with menopause.

Reduction in the incidence of pressure ulcers upon implementation of a reminder system for health-care providers.

PURPOSE: To measure the clinical impact of the introduction of a reminder system for healthcare professionals to alert patients who are at risk for pressure ulcers (PU). METHODS: This was a pre- and post-test study of patients who were discharged from 6 medical-surgical units of the University Hospital of Fuenlabrada in 2009 and 2010. Beginning in January 2010, implementation of an on-screen list of reminders was automatically updated daily on the units' computers including patient arrival date, last assessment of ulceration risk and location of any PU. The cumulative incidence of PU was measured for patients discharged in 2009 (group A: healthcare professionals were not exposed to on-screen reminder) and 2010 (group B: healthcare professionals were exposed to on-screen reminder list). The relative risk (RR) was estimated. The study was completed with a stratified analysis and binary logistic regression. RESULTS: In group A, there were 84 cases of PU among 9263 patients discharged (0.9%); whereas in group B, there were 59 cases among 9220 patients discharged (0.6%). The RR of PU for group B/group A was 0.706 (p=0.038). In the logistic regression analysis, after adjusting for study variables, the odds ratio of PU B/A was 0.558. CONCLUSION: A list of on-screen reminders at the beginning of a healthcare professional's shift to inform them of patients at risk for developing a PU was effective at reducing the incidence of these clinical burdens.

Anatomic relationship of the proximal nail matrix to the extensor hallucis longus tendon insertion.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to delineate the relationship of the terminal extensor hallucis longus tendon insertion to the proximal limit of the nail matrix of the great toe. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifty fresh-frozen human cadaver great toes with no evidence of trauma (average age, 62.5 years; 29 males and 21 females) were used for this study. Under 25X magnification, the proximal limit of the nail matrix and the terminal bony insertion of the extensor hallucis longus tendons were identified. The distance from the terminal tendon insertion to the nail matrix was ascertained using precision calipers, an optical microscope, and autocad(®) software for windows. Twenty-five great toes were placed in a neutral formalin solution and further analysed by histological longitudinal-sections. The specimens were stained with haematoxylin and eosin and examined microscopically to determine the presence of the extensor hallucis longus tendon along the dorsal aspect of the distal phalanx of each great toe. RESULTS: The main result we found in great toes was that the extensor tendon is between the matrix and the phalanx and extends dorsally to the distal aspect of the distal phalanx in all, 100%, specimens. The nail matrix of the great toe is not attached to the periosteum of the dorsal aspect of the base of the distal phalanx as is the case for fingers, because the extensor hallucis tendon is plantar or directly underneath the nail matrix and the tendon is dorsal to the bone. CONCLUSIONS: We have found that the extensor tendon is between the matrix and the phalanx and extends dorsally to the distal aspect of the distal phalanx. The nail matrix of the great toe is not attached to the periosteum of the dorsal aspect of the base of distal phalanx as is the case in fingers, because the extensor hallucis tendon is plantar or directly underneath the nail matrix and the tendon is dorsal to the bone. Our anatomic study demonstrates that the proximal limit of the matrix and nail bed of the human great toe are dorsal and overlapping the terminal extensor hallucis longus tendon until its distal bony insertion in all specimens.

[Validity of clinical register of pressure ulcers]. / La validez de un registro clínico de úlceras por presión.

BACKGROUND: To compare pressure ulcers (PU) found in this prospective observational study with PU recorded in the Electronic Medical Record (EHR). METHOD: We use a prospective observational study to record PU, with daily monitoring by an observer in the medical-surgical units of hospitalization, as well as a clinical record review of PU tracking. Patient monitoring was conducted between December 2008 and March 2009 at Fuenlabrada University hospital. We calculated the absolute and relative frequency of PU in the patients followed, as well as the association among qualitative variables and the validity of the registration in the EHR with regard to the reference standard, the observational study. RESULTS: Among the 1,001 patients followed-up in this study, 42 of them showed PU (4.2% of the total patients), compared to 25 (2.5%) patients who had registered PU in the Electronic Health Record, which means a statistically significant difference (p<0.001). The record of PU presents a Kappa index of 0.548, with a sensitivity of 47.62 % and a specificity of 99.48 %, with regard to the reference standard, the observational study. CONCLUSION: The number of patients with pressure ulcers almost doubled if the observational data collection is done by an expert nurse compared to what was recorded in the EHR.

Grado de conocimientos y actitudes de la enfermería de la Comunidad Autónoma de Madrid (cam) ante el dolor: diplomados en enfermería y profesionales / No disponible

El dolor se ha convertido en el quinto signo vital (1-3) y es hoy día un tema crítico en la atención del paciente. El tratamiento eficaz del mismo sigue siendo uno de los problemas más importantes y urgentes del sistema de asistencia sanitaria de los países desarrollados de todo el mundo. Si bien el dolor en los pacientes es un tema muy en boga actualmente, sin embargo, lo que es poco cuestionado es la formación de los futuros profesionales de Enfermería en el cuidado de dichos pacientes. El estudio y el tratamiento del dolor deberían ser inculcados en los estudiantes de Enfermería dentro de su formación, tanto teórica como práctica. Es muy importante la labor que asumen también los docentes en el tema. El reto para la profesión de Enfermería consistiría en este terreno en que organice, estructure y apoye un programa consistente en la activación de programas docentes para estudiantes y enfermeros en ejercicio. Para iniciar nuestro trabajo de investigación realizamos un análisis por una parte, de los actuales programas curriculares de las distintas escuelas de enfermería de la CAM, con asignaturas con contenidos en dolor, analizándose la similitud o no entre ellos, los epígrafes tratados, etc., todo ello comparado con el esbozo curricular que la IASP (International Association of Study of Pain) propuso para los estudios de enfermería; y por otra, se describen los conocimientos y las actitudes de ambos grupos en enfermería ante el dolor, tanto profesionales como estudiantes de enfermería. Para observar el grado de conocimientos y actitudes ante el dolor de ambos grupos, se introdujo como herramienta el NKAS-RP (Nurses' Knowledge and attitudes Survey Regarding Pain) (4). El grupo de trabajo se propuso, por tanto, tres objetivos generales: el primero, descripción de los temarios de las asignaturas de la carrera de enfermería con contenidos en dolor, y el 2.º y 3.º objetivos, definir los conocimientos y las actitudes ante el dolor de los estudiantes de enfermería y de los profesionales enfermeros de la CAM. Se trata de un estudio descriptivo, observacional, aleatorio y multicéntrico, que analiza los conocimientos actuales, así como las actitudes del grupo de enfermería, tanto entre estudiantes (futuros diplomados en enfermería) como entre profesionales. Se llevó a cabo entre los años 2008 al 2010, utilizándose para dar a conocer los resultados del mismo el paquete estadístico SPSS versión 17.0. Como resultados, se obtuvieron, al igual que en estudios previos, a nivel mundial, unos pobres conocimientos en dolor y unas malas actitudes ante dicho síntoma. Se propone para mejorarlos, en el caso de los estudiantes, cambios en los programas curriculares de la diplomatura (futuro grado) de enfermería, y en el caso de los profesionales, formación continuada, así como actualización de conocimientos en dicho tema (AU)

The pain has become the fifth vital sign and is now a critical issue in patient care. Effective treatment of it is still one of the most important and urgent health care system in developed countries worldwide. While pain in patients is a very in vogue these days, however, which is unchallenged is the education of future nursing professionals in the care of such patients. The study and treatment of pain should be instilled in nursing students in their training, both theoretical and practical. The work is very important that teachers also take on the subject. The challenge for the nursing profession in this field would you organize, structure and support a program involving the activation of educational programs for students and practicing nurses. To start our research we made an analysis on the one hand, the current curricula of different schools of nursing in the CAM, with subjects with pain content, analyzing the similarity or not between them, the treated sections, etc. all this curriculum outline compared to the IASP (International Association of Study of Pain) proposed for nursing studies and, secondly, we describe the knowledge and attitudes of both groups in nursing to pain, both professional and qualified nurses. To observe the degree of knowledge and attitudes towards pain in both groups, was introduced as a tool the NKAS-RP (Nurses’ Knowledge and Attitudes Survey Regarding Pain). The working group is proposed, therefore, three general objectives: The first description of the curricula of the courses in the career of nursing content in pain, and el2 and 3 goals, define the knowledge and attitudes to pain nursing students and nurses of the CAM. This is a descriptive, observational, multicenter, randomized, which analyzes the current knowledge and attitudes of the nursing staff, both among students (future graduates in nursing) and among professionals. Was carried out between 2008 and 2010, used to publicize the results of the statistical package SPSS version 17.0. As results were obtained, as in previous studies, worldwide, a poor knowledge of pain and a bad attitude before that symptom. It is proposed to improve: in the case of students, changes in the curriculum of the Diploma (future degree) nurses, and in the case of professionals, continuing education and refresher courses in that subject (AU)

Impacto de la implantación de recordatorios para disminuir eventos adversos en pacientes con accesos venosos periféricos / Impact of implementation of reminders to reduce adverse effects in patients with peripheral venous catheterizations

Fundamento. Medir el impacto clínico de la implantación de un sistema de recordatorios, que avise de los pacientes que tienen riesgo de presentar un evento adverso (EA) relacionado con los catéteres venosos periféricos. Métodos. A partir de los registros que se utilizan para seguimiento de los catéteres intravenosos se desarrolló una consulta automatizada que elabora un listado de los pacientes ingresados que incluye fecha de ingreso, fecha colocación, vía y tipo de vía. Se actualiza por turno en los ordenadores de la unidad. Se implantó en enero de 2010. Se ha realizado un estudio cuasi experimental midiendo la incidencia acumulada de flebitis, extravasaciones y obstrucciones en los pacientes dados de alta en 2009 y en 2010. Se ha evaluado la asociación entre variables cualitativas con el test de Chicuadrado, se ha estimado riesgo relativo (RR) y el número necesario de pacientes a tratar (NNT). Resultados. En el año 2009 fueron dados de alta en las unidades de estudio 9.263 pacientes y en 2010, 9.220 pacientes. Los resultados encontrados han sido: Pacientes que desarrollan flebitis 2010/2009: RR: 0,827 (p<0,001). Pacientes que presentan extravasaciones 2010/2009: RR: 0,804 (p<0,001).Pacientes que presentan obstrucciones 2010/2009: RR:0,954 (p=0,554). Conclusiones. Un listado de recordatorios que incluye los pacientes con acceso vascular y la fecha de éste, ha servido para disminuir el número de flebitis y extravasaciones, pero no las obstrucciones(AU)

Background. The main purpose of this paper is to measure the clinical impact of the implementation of a reminder system that would warn of patients who are at risk of presenting an adverse event (AE) related to the peripheral venous catheter. Method. On the basis of the registers used for monitoring intravenous catheters, an automated consultation was realized that elaborated a list of the patients admitted, including: date of admission, date of the insertion of the venous access device, and type of device. It was implanted in January 2010and updated three times a day with the computers of the unit. A quasi-experimental study has measured the cumulative incidence of phlebitis, extravasation and obstructions in the patients registered in 2009 and 2010. The association between qualitative variables was evaluated with the Chisquared test, and relative risk (RR) and Number Needed to Treat (NNT) were estimated. Results. Nine thousand two hundred and sixty-three patientswere registered in the studied units in the year 2009, and 9,220 patients in 2010. The results were the following: Patients with phlebitis 2010/2009: RR: 0.827 (p < 0.001). Patients with extravasations 2010/2009: RR: 0.804 (p < 0.001).Patients with obstructions 2010/2009: RR: 0.954 (p < 0.554).Conclusion. With the help of a reminder list (which includes the patients with vascular access and the date), there has been a decrease in the number of phlebitis and extravasations but not in the number of obstructions(AU)

Mechanical stress redistribution in the calcaneus after autologous bone harvesting.

The calcaneus is a desirable site for harvesting autologous bone for use in foot surgery. However, fracture of the calcaneus is a serious complication associated with bone harvesting from this site. Currently it is unknown how much bone may be safely harvested from the calcaneus without inducing a fracture. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of progressive bone removal from the calcaneus onto the mechanical stress redistribution of the foot, and therefore on the increase in fracture risk. Different loads were applied on the talus to evaluate the calcaneus stress distribution at different situations. Because of the potential increase in mechanical stress in the calcaneus, secondary to contraction of the Achilles tendon, we also evaluated the mechanical behavior properties of the foot with increasing traction force in the Achilles tendon. A three-dimensional (3D) finite element (FE) model developed from CT images obtained from a healthy individual was used to compute displacement, tension and compression stresses in six situations, including intact foot, and five depth of the bone block removed, with a maximum depth of 7.5 mm. The results from these simulations indicated that when the maximum load was applied at the Achilles tendon, the tension stress increased from 42.16 MPa in the intact foot to 86.28 MPa with maximum bone harvesting. Furthermore, as the volume of bone extracted from the calcaneus increases, there is a redistribution of stresses that differs significantly from the intact foot. In fact, although the maximum stress was not significantly affected by increasing the volume of bone harvested-except when increasing the Achilles tendon force-, stresses did increase in areas of the calcaneus is vulnerable to injury, leading to an increase in fracture risk.

Renal excretion of phenol from physicians after nail matrix phenolization: an observational prospective study.

BACKGROUND: Animal studies have shown that many signs of acute poisoning result from phenol entry into the systemic circulation by absorption or ingestion. While no evidence of systemic complications in patients who have undergone phenol nail matrixectomies have been reported, the safety of phenol vapour inhalation by physicians performing this treatment has yet to be investigated. OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to determine whether the levels of phenol to which physicians are exposed to during a phenol-based matrixectomy procedure are within the limits of safe exposure. METHODS: A continuous prospective study was carried out to measure the urinary phenol concentrations from physicians after performing chemical matrixectomy for ingrown toenails. RESULTS: The highest concentration of urinary phenol was measured at almost 10 mg/L within the first 2 h after exposure, and subsequently decreased approximately 1 mg/L every 2 h for the first 10 h post exposure. The levels dropped to 3 mg/L at 72 h post exposure. CONCLUSIONS: The risk associated with phenol exposure while performing chemical phenol matrixectomy was well below the current safety limits when the physician is exposed to 90% phenol vapour for approximately 20 min. Thus, no further specific safety recommendations are required for physicians performing this procedure.

[Impact of implementation of reminders to reduce adverse effects in patients with peripheral venous catheterizations]. / Impacto de la implantación de recordatorios para disminuir eventos adversos en pacientes con accesos venosos periféricos.

BACKGROUND: The main purpose of this paper is to measure the clinical impact of the implementation of a reminder system that would warn of patients who are at risk of presenting an adverse event (AE) related to the peripheral venous catheter. METHOD: On the basis of the registers used for monitoring intravenous catheters, an automated consultation was realized that elaborated a list of the patients admitted, including: date of admission, date of the insertion of the venous access device, and type of device. It was implanted in January 2010 and updated three times a day with the computers of the unit. A quasi-experimental study has measured the cumulative incidence of phlebitis, extravasation and obstructions in the patients registered in 2009 and 2010. The association between qualitative variables was evaluated with the Chi-squared test, and relative risk (RR) and Number Needed to Treat (NNT) were estimated. RESULTS: Nine thousand two hundred and sixty-three patients were registered in the studied units in the year 2009, and 9,220 patients in 2010. The results were the following: Patients with phlebitis 2010/2009: RR: 0.827 (p < 0.001). Patients with extravasations 2010/2009: RR: 0.804 (p < 0.001). Patients with obstructions 2010/2009: RR: 0.954 (p < 0.554). CONCLUSION: With the help of a reminder list (which includes the patients with vascular access and the date), there has been a decrease in the number of phlebitis and extravasations but not in the number of obstructions.

Evidence of the efficacy of alcohol lavage in the phenolization treatment of ingrown toenails.

BACKGROUND: For treatment of ingrown toenails, a phenolization is often chosen. Many reports describe an intra-operative irrigation or lavage of the wound with various types of alcohol to neutralize any residual phenol from this treatment. There are conflicting reports in the literature as to whether a true neutralization is required or merely effective removal of excess phenol. OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to analyse the suitability and effectiveness of the alcohol lavage step during the treatment of ingrown toenails with a phenolization procedure. METHODS: We performed an in vitro study using human skin and a diffusion cell apparatus to measure the amount of phenol remaining after various lavage washes. The effect of phenol evaporation was also examined. RESULTS: There was no measurable amount of phenol collected after each experiment, suggesting that diffusion of phenol through the skin does not exist. The open compartment test had significantly less phenol recovered compared with the occluded compartment test, indicating phenol evaporation. STUDY LIMITATIONS: None. CONCLUSIONS: An alcohol lavage step after the phenolization procedure can be a suitable and effective means of diluting and removing any excess or residual phenol from the exposed area.

Total nail ablation for onychodystrophy with optimized gauze-phenol application.

BACKGROUND: Nail disorders are frequent among the geriatric population and unfortunately, repeat avulsion procedures often result in complications. OBJECTIVE: To utilize a phenol-based total matricectomy technique for permanent nail ablation and evaluate its effectiveness. METHODS: We performed total nail ablation on 34 toenails of the hallux (30 patients) with a gauze-phenol application technique and evaluated the degree of pain reported by the patient 12 months postoperatively compared with the preoperative stage. Furthermore, we evaluated the patients' satisfaction with the final cosmetic appearance as well as their satisfaction with the overall procedure. RESULTS: All patients reported 'too much' or 'severe' pain prior to surgery and 94.11% reported 'no pain' 12 months post-surgery. A vast majority of the patients (82.35%) felt pleased with the cosmetic results and all patients reported that they were 'very satisfied' or 'strongly satisfied' with the procedure when interviewed at their 12 month follow-up examination. LIMITATIONS: There were a limited number of participants in this study across an extensive timeframe. CONCLUSION: Phenol-based total nail ablation with specific gauze application is safe, inexpensive and has a high rate of patient satisfaction.