Nail bed expansion: A new technique for correction of multiple isolated congenital micronychia

Abstract

Congenital micronychia may involve big toes or may involve other nails. The etiology of micronychia is not clear but amniotic bands, teratogens (drugs, alcohol), Nail Patella Syndrome etc. A 44-year-old woman with multiple isolated congenital micronychia over her hands and feet was selected. The major affected nails were thumbs and Index fingers. Surgical method were done step by step: Anesthesia of the area, extraction of short nail, elevation of nail bed, longitudinal nail bed incisions, suturing the lateral nail bed to the nail wall, covering the nail bed by a splint of plastic suction tube, bandage with gauze Vaseline. Finally, we hypnotized that in congenital micronychia, the main pathology is in nail bed; through this theory by nail bed expansion better outcomes are coming.

Infant with rolled micronychia and triangular lunula affecting the index finger

“…Although most patients with COIF syndrome can be managed conservatively, surgical management or artificial nails can be considered for cosmetic reasons. Nail bed expansion, a surgical procedure used to stimulate nail matrix proliferation, has been reported for cases of micronychia with excellent cosmetic results 10 . Our family declined consideration of surgical intervention.…”

“…Nail bed expansion, a surgical procedure used to stimulate nail matrix proliferation, has been reported for cases of micronychia with excellent cosmetic results. 10…”