Aim: To compare partial nail avulsion followed by matricectomy either with phenol (80-88%) or with electro cautery for Stage 2 & 3 ingrown toenails for early and late postoperative complications.

Methods: This study was conducted at department of surgery Nawaz Sharif social security teaching hospital Lahore for one year from 01-01-2018 to 31-12-2018. One hundred patients full filling inclusion criteria were included in the study and divided into two equal groups A and B. Partial nail avulsion done in both groups followed by chemical matricectomy with phenol (80-88%) in group A and patients in group B matricectomy done with electrocautry.

Results: The mean age in group A is 19.7± 8.08 years and in group B is 20.20± 6.9 years, both groups comparable p-value (0.74).In early post-operative complications in group A 17(34%) patients and 14(28%) patients in group B experienced mild pain p-value is (0.66). 6(12%) of group A patients and 6(12%) of group B patients experienced moderate pain p-value (01). 1(2%) of group A patient and 2(4%) of group B patients experienced severe pain p-value (01). 02(4%) patients of group A and 02(4%) patients of group B had serous discharge p-value(01). 1(2%) of group B patients have purulent discharge, however, no patients in group A patients have purulent discharge p-value (01). 1(2%) patients of group A and 2(4%) patients of group B had recurrence at three months follow up p-value (01). 2(4%) patients of group A and 4(8%) patients of group B had recurrence at six months follow up p-value (0.68).

Conclusion: Partial nail avulsion followed by matricectomy either with Phenol 80-88% or with electrocautry are comparable in early and late complications.

Keywords: Ingrown toenails, partial matricectomy