Reconstruction of total matricectomy defect with subcutaneous flap

Abstract

Background: Onychogryphosis is a nail disorder that can damage nail plates, usually caused by repeated minor trauma to the foot. Onychogryphosis of the toe is commonly seen in clinical practice; however, optimal treatment of the condition is still the subject of debate. The purpose of this study was to evaluate clinical outcomes of patients with toe onychogryphosis treated by subcutaneous flap coverage after total matricectomy. Methods: In this article, we describe 12 patients who had onychogryphosis on the great toe treated by subcutaneous flap coverage after total matricectomy. There were eight men and four women, with a mean age of 63.8 years (range, 56–74 years). Results: The follow-up period ranged from 4 to 108 months, with an average of 25.2 months. All of the flap reconstructions ultimately survived. Conclusions: The advantage of the described technique is the avoidance of tight closure of the skin and preservation of toe length. The possible limitation of the technique is poor blood circulation to the feet. © 2020, American Podiatric Medical Association. All rights reserved.