[Taking a biopsy, treating ingrown nails. Minor nail surgery in general practice]

Prior to any surgical operation on fingernails or toenails a diagnosis, or at least a suspected diagnosis, must be established. Suitable material for histopathology can be obtained by various methods: lateral longitudinal biopsy, matrix biopsy, and nail bed or nail wall biopsy. Of the surgical options, nail extraction is rarely indicated, and if at all, should be only partial. In the presence of trauma, a careful examination should be made for fracture of the terminal phalanx; where necessary, the matrix and bed must be sutured. Advanced onychogryposis is treated by applying carbolic acid to the matrix. In the case of ingrown toenails and, where applicable, "tubular nails", surgical nail paring is indicated whenever conservative measures fail.