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A new surgical technique for the correction of pincer nail deformity
Mehmet Mutaf1, Mahmut Sunay, Daghan Işk
1Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Gaziantep University School of Medicine, Gaziantep, Turkey. doctormutaf@yahoo.com
Background:
Pincer nail is a rare deformity characterized by transverse overcurvature of the nail that increases distally. Many conservative and surgical treatment modalities have been recommended, but there is not a worldwide accepted technique for long lasting treatment of this deformity yet.
Purpose:
A new surgical technique for the treatment of pincer nail deformity is described.
Material And Method:
In this procedure, after the osteophyte located on the dorsal surface of the distal phalanx is removed to provide a flat surface for the nail bed, the distal part of the nail bed is enlarged in a transverse direction by using a modified 5-flap z-plasty technique. Over 2 years, this technique has been performed on 15 toes in 8 patients.
Results:
In all patients, the deformity was eliminated successfully with no recurrence in 2 years of follow up. The growing nail turned back into its natural form and all clinical signs and symptoms of the pincer nail deformity were relieved.
Conclusions:
Widening and flattening the nail bed provide a longlasting effective treatment of the pincer nail deformity with an excellent esthetic result. Pain and episodes of infection is relieved perfectly with this new technique.
