Emmert-Plastik

Objective

The aim of the surgical intervention is the elimination of infections, ulceration and pain caused by ingrown nails (unguis incarnatus).

Indications

A surgical intervention is recommended for ingrown nails (the large toenail is most frequently affected) in stage III and higher (according to the Mozena classification) as well as in cases of nail plate defects and recurrences.

Contraindications

In cases where a disturbance of wound healing is expected and general contraindications for surgery.

Surgical technique

The surgical approach incorporates a half-moon-shaped skin incision and a straight longitudinal nail incision. Both incisions extend to the bone. A wedge-shaped piece of tissue is removed and after thorough curettage and rinsing the wound is closed using transungual single-button sutures.

Postoperative management

Regular changes of wound dressing, relief of the affected ray by immobilization during wound healing. An antibiotic therapy is only indicated in selected cases.

Results

Between 1 January 2013 and 1 January 2023 a total of 50 Emmertʼs plastic surgery operations (15 women and 35 men) were performed at the Klinikum Vest, Knappschaftskrankenhaus Recklinghausen. The average age of the patients was 50.6 years.

The mean follow-up time was 63 months. The outcome and satisfaction of the patients were evaluated according to the self-reported foot and ankle score (SEFAS). The total point count (median value) of the evaluated SEFAS score was 44.