A consecutive series of 31 recurrent ingrowing toenails, which had previously undergone at least two surgical procedures, were recruited to this study over a 1-year period. Patients were randomly allocated to one of two treatment groups. Group A underwent nail bed excision whilst group B had nail bed phenolization in addition to excision. Patients were reviewed 2 weeks and 1 year after operation. Seven toes (41%) in group A developed postoperative infection compared with only one (7%) in group B (P less than 0.01). Recurrent nail spicules occurred in ten patients (59%) in group A and six patients (43%) in group B 1 year after operation. High failure rates for ablation of recurrent ingrowing toenails should encourage greater efforts towards adequate treatment at the first presentation.