The use of 2-octylcyanoacrylate (Dermabond(®)) for the treatment of nail bed injuries in children: results of a prospective series of 30 patients.
OBJECTIVE
The use of 2-octylcyanoacrylate (OCA) has been evaluated for the treatment of nail bed injuries in adults. We propose to validate this technique in a continuous paediatric population of 30 children.


METHODS
Patients with nail bed injuries associated with displaced fractures of the distal phalanx were excluded from the study. However, parcellar fractures of the tuft were included. After removal of the nail, wound detersion and anatomic positioning of the nail bed was done and maintained under the nail plate using a single dose of OCA. Follow-up evaluation was done at day 7 and 1 and 3 months.


RESULTS
The mean delay between the trauma and the surgery was 13.5 h. The nail bed lesion was a single transversal wound in 27 cases. A pulpar wound was associated in 22 cases. At 3 months control (final follow-up), no pain or functional impairment was noted. The cosmetic result was excellent for the patient and his family in 30 out of 31 cases. It was excellent for the surgeon in 25 cases and good in six cases.


CONCLUSIONS
In the OCA technique, meticulous primary detersion and exact anatomic positioning of the damaged nail bed is mandatory before applying the cyanoacrylate adhesive. In our experience, we found that the OCA technique provided a fast and safe result in nail bed lesions. The final cosmetic appearance, function and patient satisfaction were good in our series. In these lesions, discomfort and inconvenience associated with suture removal could be avoided by the use of OCA.
Langlois
Jean
J
Department of Paediatric Orthopaedics, Pierre and Marie Curie Paris 6 University, Armand Trousseau Hospital, 26 avenue du Dr. Arnold Netter, 75571 Paris Cedex 12, France.
Thevenin-Lemoine
Camille
C
Rogier
Amélie
A
Elkaim
Marc
M
Abelin-Genevois
Kariman
K
Vialle
Raphaël
R