ABSTRACT
Objective@#To explore the clinical effect of artificial dermis on partial nail bed defects.@*Methods@#From May 2013 to September 2016, 16 cases of 21 fingers with partial nail bed defect and bone exposure received primary repair with artificial dermis after debridement. Then the outer dressing was changed 3 days after the operation, and the dressing was changed once every 3 to 5 days. The pink dermis like tissue was placed on the wound surface 2 to 3 weeks after the operation. The wound surface was naturally epithelialized.@*Results@#All the fingers were survived after artificial dermis repair, and the fingertip surface of nail bed defect was epithelialized naturally and healed well. Postoperative follow-up was 5 to 16 months, with an average of 8.2 months. The growth of fingernails was smooth with symmetrical appearance, natural toughness, good adhesion between the nail body and the nail bed, and no pain or hyperesthesia at the tip. Results of curative effect evaluation showed excellent in 18 fingers, good in 3 fingers. Results of patient′s satisfaction with postoperative finger appearance showed very satisfactory in 13 cases and satisfactory in 3 cases.@*Conclusions@#The method of repairing partial defect of nail bed using artificial dermis is simple with minimal damage and a good clinical effect.