Digital block with and without epinephrine during chemical matricectomy with phenol.

BACKGROUND

Digital block with epinephrine is safe in selected patients. Chemical matricectomy with phenol is a successful, cheap, and easy method for the treatment of ingrown nails.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the effect of digital block with epinephrine in chemical matricectomy with phenol.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

Forty-four patients with ingrown toenail were randomly divided into two groups. The plain lidocaine group (n=22) underwent digital anesthesia using 2% plain lidocaine, and the lidocaine with epinephrine group (n=22) underwent digital anesthesia with 2% lidocaine with 1:100,000 epinephrine. In the postoperative period, the patients were evaluated for pain, drainage, and peripheral tissue destruction and were followed for up to 18 months for recurrence.

RESULTS

The mean anesthetic volume used in the epinephrine group (2.2 ± 0.4 mL) was significantly lower than the plain lidocaine group (3.1 ± 0.6 mL). There was no statistically significant difference in postoperative pain and recurrence rates, but duration of drainage was significantly shorter in the epinephrine group (11.1 ± 2.5 days) than in the plain lidocaine group (19.0 ± 3.8 days). CONCLUSION Digital block with epinephrine is safe in selected patients, and epinephrine helps to shorten the postoperative drainage period. The authors have indicated no significant interest with commercial supporters.