Squamous cell carcinoma of the lateral nail fold

The digital nail complex is occasionally involved by squamous cell carcinoma. The published literature has either been indiscriminating of the site of origin of this tumour within the nail complex or has concentrated attention on the nail bed as the site of pathology. Tumours originating in the lateral nail fold can be clearly differentiated from those of the nail bed itself. This study identifies six cases of squamous cell carcinoma arising in the lateral nail fold. While surgical convention remains to amputate the digital tip for squamous cell carcinoma of any part of the nail complex, the dermatological literature identifies that local surgery can be curative for these tumours, when presenting early and without bone involvement, although offering no discussion of reconstruction. Reconstruction is desirable and methods of achieving this following local excision of lateral nail fold tumours are illustrated in this series.