Complications of Nail Surgery: A Review of the Literature

Abstract

Complications may be reduced to a minimum by preventive measures, such as careful patient selection, sterile technique, and gentle treatment of the nail matrix.

Surgical Treatment of Ingrown Toenail without Matricectomy

“…3,4 Postoperative infections and complications, however, are more frequently reported. [5][6][7] Almost the same therapeutic results have been obtained with laser matricectomy. [8][9][10][11] The main disadvantage of matricectomy, whatever the type, is the risk of poor cosmetic results with a narrower nail and sometimes nail dystrophy or spicule formation.…”

Surgical Treatment of Subungual Glomus Tumor

“…The self-nail plate reduces matrix scarring and subsequent nail splitting. 23 Tumor recurrence varies from 5% to 50%, 1,12,16 depending on surgical procedure and the surgeon's skill. Early tumor recurrence is mainly due to incomplete excision, and the development of a new lesion nearby is thought to cause late recurrence.…”

“…The majority of postoperative nail deformity results from iatrogenic nail damage during the procedure. 23 Accordingly, subsequent nail change or atrophy is preventable. We introduce a unique way of approaching subungual glomus tumor with simple blunt dissection using a transungual approach.…”

Subungual Pyogenic Granuloma Treated by Sodium Tetradecyl Sulfate Sclerotherapy

“…1 However, the nail unit is inherently a difficult area for surgery, which may cause dystrophic nail changes. 3 In addition, the nail plate would have to be partially or totally avulsed and this would cause discomfort postoperatively. Electrosurgery and cryotherapy may cause nonspecific tissue damage; the nonspecific damage may leave nail dystrophic changes and impairment of digital sensation.…”