Nail surgery involves the use of substances like surgical procedures or phenol applied to the tissues beneath the nail by excising a portion or the entire nail plate after numbing the specific area. In certain instances, surgical procedures may target the tissues surrounding the nail without the need for nail plate removal. Diagnostic and therapeutic measures, including biopsy, treatment of ingrown toenails, tumor removal, and correction of deformities, can be carried out through nail surgery.

What is Nail Surgery?

As biopsy serves as a diagnostic procedure, there is no alternative when a pathological examination is deemed necessary. While alternative treatments exist for ingrown toenails, such as tube, wire, or banding methods, surgical approaches are recommended for a permanent solution if complications like granulation tissue (a vein-rich bleeding red lesion) due to the ingrown toenail and nail fold hypertrophy (thickening of the skin fold at the nail edge) have developed. If surgical removal of tumors is necessary and a pathological examination is required, a surgical method should be the preferred course of action. Correction of deformities may be left untreated, subject to the joint decision of the patient and the doctor.

Nail Surgery Procedure

Nail surgery is a specialized procedure aimed at addressing various conditions affecting the nails, ranging from ingrown toenails to tumors. Below is an overview of the general steps involved in a nail surgery procedure:

The process begins with a thorough evaluation of the patient’s condition. This includes a detailed medical history and a physical examination of the affected nail and surrounding tissues. To ensure patient comfort, a local anesthetic is administered to numb the specific area around the nail where the surgery will take place. This minimizes any potential discomfort during the procedure. In cases where a pathological examination is required, a biopsy may be performed. This involves the removal of a small tissue sample for further analysis to determine the nature of the condition. If necessary, the surgeon may decide to remove a portion or the entire nail plate. This step is common in addressing issues such as ingrown toenails or deformities. Surgical procedures may involve adjustments to the tissues surrounding the nail. This could include addressing granulation tissue (bleeding red lesion) or hypertrophy of the nail fold (thickening of the skin fold at the nail edge).