Recurrent ingrown big toenails are efficiently treated by CO2 laser.

BACKGROUND: Surgery for onychocryptosis has a high rate of recurrence.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate CO2 laser partial matricectomy for recurrent onychocryptosis.

METHODS: One hundred ninety-six consecutive patients (predominantly teenagers) previously unsuccessfully treated by surgery underwent CO2 laser for recurrent onychocryptosis. After a digital nerve block and a simple partial nail plate avulsion, the laser was used (5 W, defocused 2 mm beam in continuous mode) to vaporize the matrix, the lateral horn, and the lateral nail groove, including local granulation tissue if present. Follow-up was at least 12 months.

RESULTS: Three hundred forty-four matricectomies were performed. Disease was mostly at stage II and III, with severe local infection in 24 cases (12.2%). All wounds healed in 21.9 +/- 3.2 days, with no postoperative local infection or prolonged exudative drainage. Onychocryptosis reoccurred in 5 of 344 treated margins (1.45%, average 15 months), all after primary bilateral matricectomy. Spicules in the lateral nail groove occurred in 14 of 344 treated margins (4%, average 5.9 months), mostly after primary bilateral matricectomy (7 cases) and in infected margins (8 cases). One patient developed a neuroma in the lateral nail groove.

CONCLUSION: CO2 laser is effective for the treatment of recurrent onychocryptosis. Bilateral matricectomy and local infection seem to be the predisposing factors for recurrence and postoperative spicule growth.