Anatomo-clinical study of a complete nail flap
Schernberg, F.; Amiel, M.
Annales de Chirurgie Plastique et Esthetique 30(2): 127-131
1985
ISSN/ISBN: 0294-1260 PMID: 2411189 Document Number: 259198
The authors describe an original technique for a nail autoplasty, using a complete nail flap with a longitudinal strip of matrix and bed with the its lateral vallum. The authors started out by studying the anatomy and vascularization of the nail after injection and corrosion casting. They also studied the venous system. They were thus able to establish that the flap was vascularized by a constant pedicle, the dorsal branch of the medial phalangeal artery. They describe their operative technique. The clinical study includes an analysis of six patients treated by this technique, in two cases for black lesions, in three others for sequelae to traumatic lesions, and, in the sixth case, for a sequel to a felon. The flap proved extremely reliable. The reconstruction is satisfactory from both a functional and an esthetic standpoint. The authors discuss the indications for this procedure and its interest in reconstructive surgery for both lesions and tumors.