title: Nail surgery: an assessment of indications and outcome.
abstract: To examine the merits of nail surgery, we studied the surgical investigation, treatment and the outcome of 78 consecutive patients with nail pathology in the context of their complaint. A diagnosis was reached in 74/78 patients. Thirty-six out of seventy-eight (46%) of patients had tumours, 17/78 (22%) had a dermatosis, 21/78 (27%) had infection or trauma and 4/78 (5%) remained undiagnosed. The presenting complaint was treated with substantial or complete resolution in 66/78 (87%) patients. Ninety-seven per cent (35/36) of those with tumours were cured, including all 5/36 with malignant and dysplastic tumours. Post-operative splitting of the nail was seen in only one patient due to secondary infection of a longitudinal nail unit biopsy. Information from this study demonstrates the diagnostic and therapeutic value of nail surgery within dermatology.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: de Berker
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Dahl
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Comaish
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Lawrence
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001706:Biopsy / Q000379:methods; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009260:Nail Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D009262:Nails / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery