A splint for pincer nail surgery: a convenient splinting device made of an aspiration tube.
BACKGROUND
To treat pincer nail, both conservative therapy and surgical therapy have been reported. However, there is no consensus about the best method of treatment.


OBJECTIVE
The use of a splint prepared from an aspiration tube after pincer nail surgery is introduced.


METHODS
Pincer nail was treated by surgery with splinting in seven patients (nine toes).


RESULTS
Nine toes from seven patients were evaluated. The postoperative follow-up period ranged from 6 to 37 months (mean 17.7 months). An excellent result was obtained in eight toes, but ingrowth of the nail occurred in one toe. The cosmetic improvement was marked and satisfactory.


CONCLUSIONS
This splint is cheap and easy to make, can prevent contracture of the nail matrix and nail bed, can reduce pain, and allows direct observation of the nail bed because it is transparent. Thus, this technique seems to be convenient and useful.
Ozawa
Toshiyuki
T
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Osaka City University, Graduate School of Medicine, Abeno, Osaka, Japan. ozawa@med.osaka-cu.ac.jp
Yabe
Tetsuji
T
Ohashi
Natsuko
N
Harada
Teruichi
T
Muraoka
Michinari
M
Ishii
Masamitsu
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009264:Nails, Malformed / Q000601:surgery*; D013165:Splints; D014034:Toes; D016896:Treatment Outcome