Clinical Study of Efficacy of Super Elastic Wire for Ingrown Nails of Great Toe

Moon, Sung Hyuk; Shin, Min Kyung; Haw, Choong Rim

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Ingrown toenail is one of the most common nail complaints. It occurs mostly on the great toes, where is an excessive lateral nail growth into the nail fold, leading to painful irritation, inflammation, and growth of the granulation tissue. Many treatments have been described, but these classic treatment modalities may lead to severe damage of the nail fold or frequent relapses.
OBJECTIVE
We attempted to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of super elastic wire (SE-wire, Machiwire(R)), a non-invasive treatment for ingrown toenails.
METHODS
Fifteen patients with ingrown toenail were treated with super elastic wire. Objective assessment was evaluated by use of the width index (width of the nail tip/width of the nail root) and height index (height of the nail tip/width of the nail root). Subjective assessment was evaluated by use of a visual analogue scale declared by patients. In addition, wound complications and recurrence were described.
RESULTS
The width index and height index were improved (width index: 75.0%-->90.0%, height index: 76.5%-->27.7%). Pain was relieved in 100% of the cases. For subjective assessment, all of the patients were satisfied (more than "satisfactory": 100%). There were two relapsed cases during 5 to 12 month period (mean time: 9 months).
CONCLUSION
We recommend super elastic wire method as an alternative treatment for ingrown toenail, because it is simple, easy to perform, noninvasive, effective, and well-tolerated.