The effect of Manuka honey on post surgical nail avulsion healing healing

IntroductionIn the majority of cases of onychocryptosis, the best outcome will be achieved by nail avulsion with phenol matrixectomy. Although phenol matrixectomy has a success rate in the region of 95%, wound healing is necessarily delayed due to the resultant chemical burn. Delayed wound healing is associated with an increased risk of post-operative infection. Manuka honey is a New Zealand honey originating from the Leptospermum scoparium, which has been shown to positively influence wound healing and to have antibacterial activity. The maintenance of a moist environment has long been established as providing optimal conditions for wound healing and Manuka honey used in combination with a suitable wound dressing, promotes such an environment.MethodStudy participants were recruited from a group of patients presenting for nail avulsion surgery. Participants were randomly allocated to one of two study groups and received either i) the standard post-operative dressing protocol, or ii) the standard post-operative dressing protocol with the addition of Manuka honey to the primary wound dressing. Data collection comprised the quantitative assessment of wound healing variables, with additional qualitative input from the study participants.ResultsPreliminary data analysis indicates little effect of Manuka honey on wound healing variables such as granulation or epithelialisation, but does suggest a positive impact on the patients' perception of post-operative pain and the process of wound healing per se. No post-operative wound infections were observed in either of the study groups.DiscussionA number of trials have shown honey to be successful in the treatment of burns and wounds. This study investigated the use of Manuka honey on postoperative nail surgery wounds, where phenol matrixectomy creates a localised chemical burn.Manuka honey appears to positively influence the patient's perceptions of post-operative pain and wound healing following nail surgery.