Surgery for Ingrowing Toenail
This topic will help you learn about ingrown toenail excision and how to prepare for it.
What is the Ingrown Toenail Excision Procedure?
It is a procedure in which all or part of the nail is removed. The procedure is usually performed under local anesthesia. It takes about 10 minutes and may involve one or more of the following techniques.
Nail avulsion: removal of the entire nail.
Wedge excision: removal of part of the toenail that grows next to the tissue area at the corner from which the nail grows.
Nail bed excision: removal of part or all of the nail, then applying a chemical substance to the tissue area from which the nail grows. The excision can be performed using surgery or electrocautery.
Zadek procedure: removal of the entire toenail, then cutting the tissue area from which the nail grows.
When is Ingrown Toenail Excision Performed?
Ingrown toenail excision is performed when the nail grows into the surrounding skin. This may damage the skin and therefore cause infection and pain. This occurs because of improper trimming of the toenails by cutting them too short or cutting down the sides of the toenails, or wearing shoes that are not wide enough for the size of your feet, which leads to ingrown toenails.
How Do You Prepare for Ingrown Toenail Excision?
Your healthcare provider will explain the procedure to you and how to prepare for it, and you can ask questions.
You will be asked to sign a consent form that permits the procedure. Read the form carefully and ask questions if anything is unclear.
Your doctor may ask you to temporarily stop taking any medicine that could increase the risk of bleeding during the procedure.
Tell your doctor about any medicines you are taking.
Tell your doctor about any health problems you have.
If you are a smoker, it is best to stop smoking before the procedure, because this may reduce the risk of complications and improve your long-term health. For more details, see the Smoking Cessation Guide.
Maintain a healthy weight to avoid the risk of complications if you are overweight.
