Pincer nails treated using zigzag nail bed flap method: results of 71 toenails

In instances of pincer nail deformity, patients complain of pain associated with walking, wearing shoes, or light touching. Cosmetic concerns and difficulties in terms of nail clipping also arise. Achievement of a satisfactory nail form remains elusive.

To introduce our original surgical procedure and present the satisfactory results.

The zigzag nail bed flap method was used on 71 toenails in 49 patients displaying pincer nails (11 male, 38 female; age range 12-88, mean, 48.6). This investigation evaluated 70 nails from the great toe and one nail from a second toe.

No postoperative complications, including pain, infection and conspicuous scars, were evident. The degree of improvement was determined objectively with the width and height indices, revealing the accuracy of this therapeutic measure.

The authors recommend surgical intervention consequent to the vicious cycle corresponding to anatomical abnormalities associated with the nail plate-nail bed-phalanges relationship. Therefore, these architectures should be treated in conjunction rather than singularly.