title: Trauma to the nail complex.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  to analyze the results from surgical intervention to treat trauma of the nail complex.
  
  
  METHODS
  we retrospectively reviewed a series of 94 consecutive patients with trauma of the nail complex who were treated between 2000 and 2009. In 42 patients, nail bed suturing was performed. In 27 patients, nail bed suturing was performed subsequent to osteosynthesis of the distal phalanx. In 15, immediate grafting was performed, and in 10, late-stage grafting of the nail bed. The growth, size and shape of the nail were evaluated in comparison with the contralateral finger. The results were obtained by summing scores and classifying them as good, fair or poor.
  
  
  RESULTS
  the results were considered to be good particularly in the patients who underwent nail bed suturing or nail bed suturing with osteosynthesis of the distal phalanx. Patients who underwent immediate or late-stage nail grafting had poor results.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  trauma of the nail complex without loss of substance presented better results than did deferred treatment for reconstruction of the nail complex.
authors.affiliation: Hand Surgery and Reconstructive Microsurgery Service, Hospital São Lucas, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUC-RS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil ; Faculdade de Medicina da Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Jefferson Braga
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.affiliation: Faculdade de Medicina da Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Samanta
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gerhardt
keywords: Finger injuries; Nail; Nail bed