Carbon dioxide laser use for certain diseases of the toenails.

The CO2 laser has facilitated the treatment of many toenail conditions. Satisfactory wound healing and cure rates have been equivalent to current standards of treatment. Pain was markedly diminished as compared with pain in traditional methods of treatment, and time until comfortable ambulation was dramatically shortened. Healing times were consistent with those in other methods of treatment. The protocol for CO2 treatment of nail conditions has been thoroughly described. Evaluation of 50 patients after 4 years from treatment date is tabulated. The CO2 laser must be strongly considered as a treatment modality for toenail pathology. Because of markedly reduced pain, minimal disability, and satisfactory long-term results, the laser is becoming a valuable treatment of choice for pathologic conditions of the nail.