The gutter is left in place for eight to 12 weeks and then removed by the patient.
Nail gutter treatment.
Nonsurgical treatments are typically used when the ingrown nail is at a mild or moderate stage grades i or ii respectively.
Conservative methods utilizing formable acrylics are highly beneficial in the treatment of an ingrowing nail and should be viewed as the first treatment option.
Two studies were carried out to establish the long term results of the method.
Formable acrylic treatment for ingrowing nail with gutter splint and sculptured nail.
Surgical treatments are preferred in moderate or severe cases grades.
Isolation of the nail plate from the ulcer bed using a gutter shaped splint may improve healing.
1 2 in the classic gutter splint method the ingrown edge of the nail plate is freed up to the extreme proximal part and then splinted using a gutter.
Conservative methods utilizing formable acrylics are highly beneficial in the treatment of an ingrowing nail and should be viewed as the first treatment option.
Results acrylic treatment with gutter splint and sculptured nail was found to be vastly superior to the other methods described especially in the ability to firmly affix the gutter splint and sculptured nail for the extended period required for treatment.