Removal of ingrown nail
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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Removal of an ingrown nail can be carried out in several ways. The most common and effective ones are such methods as marginal excision of the nail plate with the germ zone and cauterization of the affected area, as well as laser therapy and radio wave therapy.
Surgical intervention aimed at marginal excision of the nail plate with electrocoagulation of the growth site allows you to narrow the nail plate and make a smaller skin fold on the sides of the nail plate. When applying this method, the probability of recurrence is minimal.
Resection of the nail plate followed by cauterization of the growth zone is carried out under local anesthesia. A lidocaine solution is injected into the injured finger, after which the numbness of the affected area occurs within five minutes.
After the completion of the procedure, the patient during the day should limit the load on the damaged limb, recommended bed rest. To relieve pain, prescribe analgesic drugs.
On the second day the patient's finger is bandaged, then, if necessary, this procedure is carried out daily or every other day. The patient is allowed to walk from the second day after surgery, however, the motor activity should be minimal. Sutures are removed after seven to ten days in the case of their application. If the procedure was performed without suturing, the wound is delayed after about two to three weeks.
[Is it painful to remove an ingrown nail?
Any person who has encountered such a problem as ingrowth of horny plaques undoubtedly raises the question of whether it is painful to remove an ingrown nail (onychriptosis). Modern methods of treating this pathology, such as laser and radio wave therapy, allow you to get rid of such a defect as quickly, efficiently and painlessly. All procedures, including surgical removal of onochryptosis, are performed under local anesthesia, which minimizes the occurrence of pain.
To eliminate the pain syndrome after the procedure for removing ingrown nails, take analgesic medications as prescribed by the doctor.
Laser removal
Laser removal of ingrown nails is the most effective and painless way to eliminate such a defect. When using this method of treatment, the probability of re-ingrowth of horny plaques is minimal. Also, with laser therapy of onochryptosis, there is no risk of side effects.
Before the laser nail removal procedure, the patient should be given preliminary tests. In case of detection of inflammatory processes in the affected area, the patient is prescribed anti-inflammatory and antibacterial drugs. With the advanced form and severe course of the disease, an X-ray examination can be performed.
Before starting the procedure, the patient is given local anesthesia, after which the ingrown area and granulations are removed and a bandage is applied with antibiotics.
After completion of the procedure, the patient should limit the load on the affected limb for several days. The wound is wounded every day. Its complete healing takes about one to six months. During this period the patient should not visit the sauna and bath, shoes should be comfortable and spacious.
Laser removal of ingrown nails is contraindicated in people with blood clotting problems and diabetes mellitus. There are also other serious pathologies in which this procedure is not recommended. Therefore, before removing the ingrown horny plate with a laser method, consultation and examination of the doctor is required.
The duration of the procedure is about thirty minutes.
Removal of ingrown nail by laser is performed under local anesthesia, and also includes the procedure for cleansing the inflamed area of the lateral wall of the finger. Removal of ingrown nail laser compared with surgical methods is highly effective and no contraindications and relapses of the disease.
When carrying out laser therapy, only the affected segment of the nail is removed, the nail plate is preserved, the nearby tissues are not damaged. Laser cleansing of inflamed tissues allows to completely eliminate the inflammatory process and prevent the development of negative consequences.
Removal of ingrown nail laser passes painlessly, the duration of the procedure is about thirty minutes.
Surgical removal
Surgical removal of an ingrown nail consists in excision of its lateral site, traumatizing soft tissues. Together with this, the matrix segment of the horny lamina is also excised. To do this, the skin over the affected area is cut, the wound is treated with antiseptics and cleaned. The ingrown part of the nail is eliminated with a scalpel, the affected area is treated with antibiotics. However, this way of removing the ingrown nail does not give an absolute guarantee of further correct growth of the nail plate and the process of ingrowth of the horny platelet can occur repeatedly.
Removal of the entire nail is indicated in the severe stage of onochryptosis. However, there is a possibility of damage to the growth zone of the horny plaques, which can lead to its improper growth and cause re-ingrowth.
After surgery, the patient needs to be monitored by the doctor for about three to four weeks. Every day or every other day the affected area is bandaged and treated with antibacterial agents. Complete healing of the wound occurs about a month after the operation.
Procedure of the operation
The operation to remove the ingrown nail is performed under local anesthesia using a surgical scalpel and scissors.
In the course of the operation, the ingrown portion of the horny platelet and the hypergranulation are removed, as well as the matrix of the growing part of the nail.
After the introduction of an anesthetic, a rubber tourniquet is placed on the finger to prevent the development of bleeding.
Soft tissues in the affected area are cut and cleaned from hypergranulation. Then, with the help of scissors, make an incision in the desired area of the horny lamina, which is subsequently removed by clamping. Scraping of the matrix is carried out by a special spoon, and also by electrocoagulation.
At the end of the operation, seams and a dense bandage are applied to the affected finger. In the first day after surgery, bed rest should be observed and any stresses on the affected leg should be avoided. To relieve pain, analgesics are taken as prescribed by the doctor.
Operation Schmiden
Schmiden's operation with ingrown nails is a resection of the site of the horny plaques, the lateral cushion and the growth zone. After the operation is completed, seams are applied to the affected tissue. It should be noted that during such a procedure there is a possibility of traumatization, there is also a high frequency of recurrence and re-ingrowth of the nail.
Tools
When performing surgery, a special tool for ingrown nails is used. At the initial stage of the procedure for the removal of ingrown horny plaques, a cut is made on the soft tissues of the affected area with the help of a scalpel. Then, with the scissors, the ingrown nail is cut directly and is removed by means of a clamp. After this, the nail matrix is excised by a special spoon.
Curette
Two-sided curette for ingrown nails is used to purify the nail plate and sinuses from dead tissue. Such a tool is intended for professional use as an auxiliary method for treating ingrown horny plaques.
Radio wave removal
Radio wave removal of ingrown nails can effectively eliminate inflammation in the affected area, as well as preserve intact areas of the nail plate. The effect on soft tissue with radio wave treatment is minimal, while there is no bleeding and scarring.
Radio wave removal of ingrown nails lasts for thirty minutes, after which a sterilizing dressing is applied to the affected area. Pain sensations arising after the radio wave removal of ingrown horny plaques are much less pronounced than after surgical intervention. There are practically no cases of repeated nail defect after such treatment.
Radio wave therapy can be performed with the development of any form and stage of ingrowth of the nail. After local anesthesia, the ingrown portion of the horny platelet is eliminated and the growth and matrix zone is treated. Stitches after carrying out such procedure do not impose, the finger is bandaged with a sterile dressing with disinfectants.
The main advantages of this method of treatment are such indicators as complete elimination of the inflammatory process, the absence of side effects, a relatively short period of recovery and healing of the wound and a low percentage of relapses.
Post-operative care
Treatment after removal of ingrown nails is the daily treatment of the affected area with antibacterial ointments and bandaging the wound. Anesthetic drugs are prescribed to relieve pain. One of the main requirements during the recovery after removal of the ingrown nail is to ensure complete resting of the affected limb in the first day after the operation.
Further, starting from the second day, the patient is allowed to walk, however, the load on the leg should be minimal. Bandaging and treatment of the wound is performed daily or every other day, depending on the doctor's recommendations. It is necessary to strictly comply with hygiene standards and do not allow dirt and moisture to enter the wound. Complete healing occurs, as a rule, in four to six weeks.
Bandaging
Bandaging after removal of ingrown nails is carried out with the help of sterile materials with the use of antiseptic and antibacterial agents. After applying the dressing, avoid getting wet. Re-bandaging and bandage change are recommended the next day after its application. To do this, the used bandage is carefully removed, the horny plate is treated with antiseptics, smeared with antibacterial ointment and bandaged with a clean and dry sterile dressing.
The procedure for dressing the wound after removing the ingrown nail can be done independently or at the doctor's office. Bandaging is performed daily or every other day, depending on the doctor's recommendations.
Price
The price of removal of an ingrown nail depends on the stage of the disease, the chosen method of treatment, and also on the choice of the clinic in which it will be performed. The approximate cost of laser removal of onochryptosis is about 1200 UAH. The procedure includes local anesthesia, excision of the problem area, and removal and treatment of the inflamed segment of the lateral part of the injured finger.
Reviews
Feedback on the removal of ingrown nails with laser therapy can identify such factors as painlessness and speed of the procedure, the absence of side effects, as well as the re-ingrowth of horny plaques. While after surgery such cases are not uncommon.