Preservative and surgical interventions to treat ingrown nail and pincer nail

Abstract

Ingrown nail and pincer nail are common diseases. Although they are sometimes indistinguishable and described together, they are different conditions. Pincer nail is a situation where nail plate is curved transversely. On the other hand, ingrown nail represents a condition, where lateral edge of nail cuts deep into the lateral nail fold causing severe inflammation and even pyogenic granuloma. Ingrown nail and pincer nail coexist in some patients. In certain occupational environments, these nail diseases frequently occur as well as irritant and allergic skin diseases. In addition, they may take place in patients receiving epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors. Different approaches should be made for the treatment of these nail conditions. Historically, surgical interventions, as exemplified by partial avulsion of nail plate and matricectomy, were usually selected. Currently, a number of preservative methods have been emerging, including nail sculpture, Tsume Flat®, Pedigrass®, VHO®, and hyperelastic wire. However, there has been no golden standard. Each facility takes its own method for the treatment. In this review, we explain these preservative methods as well as surgical interventions.