Nail Bed Resurfacing with Split-Thickness Nail Bed Graft

ABSTRACT

The presence of a fingernail is important in facilitating tactile sensibility to finger pulp, stabilizing the tip for refined pinch, scratching and providing dorsal protection. Many reconstructive procedures have been introduced in the past for reconstruction of the nail. The authors performed a reconstruction of the nail in 13 patients using a split-thickness nail bed graft. Results of nail growth in reconstructed nail were judged as good, fair, or poor on the basis of appearance of nail and the patient's satisfaction. The outcome of the 13 cases (mean follow-up of 11 months) was good in eight cases, fair in three cases, and poor in two cases, respectively. Although the authors' experience suggests the unpredictable nature of nail bed graft, it should be considered for patients who desire nail reconstruction and are not candidates for ablation or vascularized nail complex transfer procedure.