Lateral Surgical Approach for Subungual Glomus Tumors With Low Recurrence Rates: A Single-Center Case Series

Glomus tumors are rare benign mesenchymal neoplasms typically presenting as small, painful, blue-red nodules with cold sensitivity. Surgical excision with complete removal of the tumor capsule is the standard treatment for benign glomus tumors. Recurrence is uncommon but can occur if the tumor is not fully excised.

This retrospective, single-center case series includes a sample of 24 patients with glomus tumors treated surgically between 2017 and 2023 by the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the Hospital Universitario Dr. José Eleuterio González, Monterrey, Mexico.

Glomus tumors were more common in women (n=18, 75%), and affected the left hand in 17 cases (70.8%) and the subungual region in 11 cases (45.8%). The thumb and index digits were the most frequently affected, while the third and fifth were the least. The average duration of symptoms before diagnosis was 2.9 years. A single case had a history of recurrence, in which the participant had been previously treated at another facility before we performed the second resection.

A lateral surgical approach with careful matriectomy was effective in most cases, with minimal recurrence. The case with previous recurrence underscores the importance of complete excision.