Microsurgical reconstruction of the nail

Abstract

Very often, post-traumatic defects involve multiple tissues. Microsurgical techniques can reconstruct them with tissues taken from a toe: from the nail complex alone to compound osteo-onychocutaneous flaps. Several techniques have been reported since the 1980s. This paper describes techniques and indications for microsurgical nail reconstruction. Technique differs according to the deficit, and first and foremost whether only the nail complex is involved or whether other components of the fingertip important for the normal growth of the nail, such as the phalanx bone or the finger pad, are also missing (toenail flaps and the custom-made osteo-onychocutaneous flaps). For most patients the absence of a fingernail is an esthetic rather than functional concern, and the outcomes of microsurgical reconstruction are far from ideal in this regard. We prefer to reserve reconstruction for symptomatic patients with functional impairment.

Keywords: Microsurgery; Nail; Nail reconstruction.