Frequency of complications in simple modified wedge resection of ingrown toenails: a cross-sectional study

Introduction: Ingrown toenail is a common condition, particularly among young individuals, and is often worsened by wearing tight footwear and trimming nails too short. Effective management involves proper surgical removal of the affected nail along with matricectomy to prevent recurrence, followed by appropriate post-operative follow-up. Objective: To find the frequency of complications in modified wedge resection patients, with ingrown toenails in a tertiary care hospital in Islamabad, Pakistan. Materials and Methods: This prospective cross-sectional study was conducted in HBS General hospital, Islamabad from 1st January 2023 to 31st December 2023. All patients clinically diagnosed with unilateral or bilateral ingrown toenails using Mozena’s classification, aged 9 years or above of either gender were included in this study by convenient sampling. All patients underwent simple wedge resection by a modified Winograd method without suturing. Post-operative follow up was done weekly till six weeks for complications. Results: Patients with ingrown toenails (n=71) who underwent wedge resection were studied. The mean age of patients was 23.7±12.7 years (age range 9-73 years). The frequency of operative complications like bleeding was noted in 3 (4%) patients, surgical site infection in 5 (7%) patients, granulation tissue in 2 (2%) and recurrence of disease in 3 (4%) patients. Two patients (2%) were lost to follow up and only one patient (1%) had early follow-up in OPD. Conclusion: Simple wedge resection of nail matrix for ingrown toenail is a procedure to avoid recurrence of ingrown nail. The procedure has better outcome in terms of post-operative complications.