The Efficacy of Nail Brace for Treatment of Ingrown Toenails

Background: Ingrown toenails are one of the most frequent nail disorders and can be treated with conservative or surgical approaches. Although discovered a long time ago, the available data are still very limited on the potential effectiveness of nail braces for ingrown toenail treatment. Objective: This study aimed to (1) evaluate the efficacy and recurrence rate of nail brace (combiped and podofix) for treatment of ingrown toenails. (2) Compare the wound recovery and recurrence rate of nail brace and partial nail extraction with matricectomy for treatment of ingrown toenails. Method: Participants with ingrown toenail and >= 12 years old with total 30 ingrown toenails were included. Investigators divide patients to 2 groups: (1) combiped group: Participants with non-infected or mild infected ingrown nail, combiped nail brace was applied instantly (20 patients) (2) combine combiped and podofix group: Participants with severe paronychia with pyogenic granuloma, oral analgesics and antibiotics were prescribed first and nail brace was applied 1 week later. If the pyogenic granuloma is not resolved after 1 week, investigators applied podofix first for 2-4 weeks and then combiped nail brace. After the nail brace applied, participants must come back between 2-4 weeks depends on disease condition (10 patients) Participants come back every month for evaluation and photography. Physician global assessment (0-6),Patient global assessment (VAS 0-10), Treatment satisfaction (VAS 0-10), and questionnaire were evaluated 1 month, 3 months and 6 months after the device applied. Participants need to be followed for recurrence at 3rd month, 6th month and 1 year after removed the nail brace. Investigators will compare the wound recovery and recurrence rate of nail brace and partial nail extraction with matricectomy for treatment of ingrown toenails.