title: Nail avulsion: indications and methods (surgical nail avulsion).
abstract: The nail is a subject of global importance for dermatologists, podiatrists and surgeons. Nail avulsion is a frequently undertaken, yet simple, intriguing procedure. It may either be surgical or chemical, using 40% urea. The former is most often undertaken using the distal approach. Nail avulsion may either be useful for diagnostic purposes like exploration of the nail bed, nail matrix and the nail folds and before contemplating a biopsy on the nail bed or for therapeutic purposes like onychocryptosis, warts, onychomycosis, chronic paronychia, nail tumors, matricectomy and retronychia. The procedure is carried out mostly under local anesthesia with or without epinephrine (1:2,00,000 dilution). Besides the above-mentioned indications, the contraindications and complications of nail avulsion are briefly outlined.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and STD, University College of Medical Sciences and Associated Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital, University of Delhi, Delhi, India. deepikapandhi@rediffmail.com
authors.forename: Deepika
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pandhi
authors.forename: Prashant
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Verma
mesh_terms: D005533:Foot Dermatoses / Q000601:surgery*; D006229:Hand Dermatoses / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D009262:Nails / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000601:surgery*; D014009:Onychomycosis / Q000601:surgery*; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative / Q000379:methods*