Comparing Winograd versus sleeve (gutter) method for treating ingrown toenails

COMPARISON OF TWO SURGICAL METHODS (WINOGRAD VS SLEEVE METHOD) IN THE TREATMENT OF INGROWN TOE NAIL

Not applicable Interventional Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences · NCT07547241

This randomized study will test whether the Winograd procedure or the sleeve (gutter) method better reduces recurrence of ingrown toenails in patients needing surgical treatment.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment312 (estimated)
Ages12 Years to 75 Years
SexAll
SponsorPakistan Institute of Medical Sciences Government
Drugs / interventionschemotherapy
Locations1 site (Islamabad)
Trial IDNCT07547241 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This randomized clinical trial will enroll 312 affected nails and assign them equally to receive either the Winograd partial nail avulsion with matrix excision or the sleeve (gutter) method performed under standardized conditions. Procedures will be done by trained surgical residents in a tertiary care hospital and patients will be followed for 30 days after the intervention to record recurrence and other clinical outcomes. Key exclusions include diabetes, peripheral vascular disease, immunocompromise, coagulopathy, active local infection, prior or recurrent ingrown toenail surgery, or delayed complications from previous surgery. The study aims to produce locally relevant comparative data to guide choice of surgical technique for onychocryptosis.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are people aged 12–75 with a primary ingrown toenail requiring surgery who can give informed consent and do not have the listed exclusion conditions.

Not a fit: Patients with diabetes, peripheral vascular disease, immunocompromise, coagulopathy, active local infection, or prior/recurrent ingrown toenail surgery are excluded and unlikely to benefit from the trial results.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If one method shows lower recurrence, patients could have fewer repeat procedures, less pain, and faster return to normal activity.

How similar studies have performed: Previous reports show mixed recurrence rates for both techniques and no clear consensus, so direct comparisons remain limited and context-dependent.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Patients presenting with ingrown toenail (onychocryptosis)
* Patients for whom surgical intervention is indicated
* Age between 12 and 75 years
* Both male and female participants
* Patients willing to provide informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

* Patients with diabetes mellitus
* Patients with peripheral vascular disease
* Immunocompromised patients
* Patients with coagulopathy
* Patients receiving chemotherapy
* Patients with localized infection or abscess at the surgical site
* Patients with previously treated or recurrent ingrown toenail
* Patients presenting with delayed complications of prior ingrown toenail surgery

Where this trial is running

Islamabad

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Ingrown ToenailIGTNIngrown nailIn-grown toe nail
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.