Comparison of Effectiveness of Electrocautery and Cryotherapy in Partial Matrixectomy After Partial Nail Extraction in the Treatment of Ingrown Nails

Abstract

Matrixectomy should be added to the treatment of ingrown nails. There was no significant difference between electrocautery and cryotherapy in terms of relapse. In patients with advanced stages of ingrown nails, partial nail extraction combined with matrixectomy using cryotherapy is an effective method of treatment.

Electrodessication Matricectomy With Modified Hyfrecator Tip: Case Series and Literature Review

“…Recurrence rates a following ED procedures ranged from 0% to 44.8%: 0% in 5 studies 4,7,8,14,15 ; 1% to 5% in 2 studies 12,13 ; 10% to 15% in 2 studies 9,11 ; and 26.7% and 44.8% in the 2 outlier studies reporting the highest recurrence rates. 6,10 Infection rates following ED procedures ranged from 0% to 10.3%: 0% in 6 studies 7,8,11,12,14,15 ; and 1.8%, 8.0%, and 10.3% in the 3 studies reporting post-operative infections. 4,9,13 Healing time was reported on average to be less than 10 days in 2 studies, 7,8 but more than 10 days in 4 studies, up to 4.5 weeks.…”

“…2,16 Nail plate extraction alone has been associated with high recurrence rates ranging from 64% to 83%. 6 The matricectomy method using ED is a technique with a good learning curve and that produces consistent results. 5,9 ED uses electric current to generate heat and cause tissue dehydration and superficial destruction, thereby inducing coagulation necrosis and carbonization of cells, which are then ultimately removed via a combination of enzymatic degradation and phagocytosis.…”

“…Moreover, there is a discrepancy in the way recurrences are presented; some articles report recurrences and nail spicule formations separately. 6,[12][13][14][15] It is also possible that outcomes are more dependent on the surgical skills and experience of the physician rather than the matricectomy method itself.…”

“…12 Total duration of ED was reported to range from 2 seconds up to 60 seconds in partial and total matricectomy. 4,[6][7][8]10,12,14 Tourniquets are commonly used to provide a dry surgical field, 4,7,8,10,11,13,14 but not always. 12 Excessive granulation tissue is either excised 8,10 or curetted.…”

Cryosurgery for Common Benign Lesions

“…One cycle of cryosurgery with a previously frozen probe (closed method) or one cycle of LN spraying (open method) with a 1 mm margin is usually enough to destroy the granuloma. Combination treatments (cryosurgery plus matrixectomy) have been reported with good results [ 10 ].…”