Thin split-thickness toenail bed grafts for avulsed nail bed defects

Avulsed defect of a fingernail bed is a common injury in acute hand trauma. Insufficient management for this type of nail bed avulsion often leads to an irregular and nonadherent nail. The use of thin split-thickness sterile matrix graft from the great toe for immediate replacement of a nail bed defect can regain a smooth, adherent, and normal-looking nail. Between May of 1998 and December of 2001, we used thin split-thickness toenail bed grafts in 13 fingers of 12 patients with avulsed defects of the nail bed. The end results of this technique were excellent and no deformities occurred in the graft donor area. Thin split-thickness toenail bed graft is a good choice for the treatment of acute nail bed avulsion.