Comparison of outcomes of banding, nail brace, and Winograd techniques in the treatment of ingrown toenails

Aims: This study aims to evaluate the clinical outcomes of three commonly used treatment methods—banding, nail brace, and the Winograd procedure—in patients with Heifetz stage 2 ingrown toenails. Parameters such as recurrence rate, infection rate, postoperative pain, and patient satisfaction were assessed to guide clinical decision-making. Methods: This retrospective study included 91 patients diagnosed with Heifetz stage 2 ingrown toenail, who were treated using one of three methods. Patients were divided into three groups: banding, nail brace, and Winograd procedure. Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores were recorded on the third postoperative day to assess pain levels. The short-term outcomes, recurrence rates, and complications were analyzed. Ethical approval was obtained and the study adhered to the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki. Results: The nail brace method showed a significantly shorter return-to-work duration (mean 10.2±9.5 days) compared to the Winograd procedure (19.0±6.4 days, p