Aesthetic satisfaction of patients following plastic surgery of nail folds combined with conservative nail plate reconstruction for ingrown toenails

Introduction Management of ingrown toenails encompasses a wide range of methods, from conservative to surgical approaches, which vary in terms of final aesthetic outcomes and overall patient satisfaction. Aim This study aimed to assess patient aesthetic satisfaction following surgical correction of nail folds preceded by conservative nail plate reconstruction. Materials and methods A total of 550 procedures were performed in 340 patients, involving plastic surgery of the nail folds combined with conservative nail plate reconstruction. Patients evaluated their satisfaction with the aesthetic and functional outcomes of the operated toes. Results The final aesthetic appearance of the treated toes was rated as good (34.4%) or very good (59.4%) by approximately 95% of patients. Significant relationships were observed between the final aesthetic outcome and post-treatment effectiveness ( p = 0.003), severity of ingrown toenail prior to treatment, need for additional cosmetic and conservative procedures ( p = 0.008), patient age ( p < 0.0001), and type of occupation ( p = 0.0016). Conclusion Plastic surgery of the nail folds combined with conservative nail plate reconstruction achieved favorable final aesthetic outcomes for the toes and nail plates, contributing to high patient satisfaction.