A REPORT OF TWO CASES OF CRITICAL ISCHAEMIA UNMASKED BY TREATMENT FOR INGROWN NAILS

Several accepted procedures are used for the treatment of ingrown toenail (onychocryptosis), all of which have the objective of fitting the nail to the soft tissue or vice versa . The various procedures differ mostly in the extent and the method of nail reduction and matrix ablation. Complications are uncommon with the major concerns being recurrence and infection. 1,2 In diabetic patients, an assessment of the circulation of the feet is mandatory prior to any intervention, as stated by Brodsky, 3 but most patients require only a history and examination prior to the procedure. 1 We describe two patients in whom critical ischaemia of the lower extremities was unmasked by poor healing after surgical treatment of ingrown nails.