How is ingrown toenail surgery performed and is it painful?

Ingrown toenail surgery is simple and quick under local anesthesia. After numbing, there's no pain during the procedure.

Procedure Steps:

1. Local anesthesia: Anesthetic injection at the toe base (Digital nerve block) — the most uncomfortable moment. After that, the toe is completely numb.
2. Tourniquet application: Rubber band at the toe base — prevents bleeding and improves visibility.
3. Nail edge removal: Only the ingrown part — not the entire nail. Usually just a quarter of the nail.
4. Root cauterization (Phenolization): Phenol solution applied to the removed section's root — prevents regrowth. Success rate 95%+.
5. Granulation tissue removal: If present — by curettage or cauterization.
6. Dressing: Pressure dressing — walks on heel and goes home.

After Surgery:

• Mild pain for two days — Paracetamol is sufficient.
• Salt water soaking from the next day.
• Full recovery: 2-4 weeks.

At BEIT TARIQ Center, we perform the Phenolization technique — the most successful with lowest recurrence.