eMedicine Specialties > Clinical Procedures > Soft Tissue Procedures

Hand, Nail Removal

Author: Rahi K Yallapragada, MBBS, MRCS, LATS StR, Plastic Surgery, Queen Victoria Hospital, UK
Contributor Information and Disclosures

Updated: Apr 12, 2009

Introduction

Finger nails are used for scratching, in defense, and, more obviously, to pick up small objects. However, the nail also protects the fingertip, contributes to tactile sensation, and plays an important role in the regulation of peripheral circulation. An abnormal nail is both a cosmetic and functional problem in that it catches on objects, particularly cloth, and causes finger pain and damage to the object.

For a discussion on fingernail examination, see the Medscape CME article Examining the Fingernails When Evaluating Presenting Symptoms in Elderly Patients.

Indications

Nail deformities that require nail removal can occur secondary to anything that causes injury or deformation of the nail bed. This may include infection,1 self-mutilation, tumor, or trauma.2

Contraindications

  • Allergy to local anesthetics (relative contraindication)
  • Bleeding diathesis

More on Hand, Nail Removal

Overview: Hand, Nail Removal
Treatment & Medication: Hand, Nail Removal
References
Further Reading
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References

  1. Bonifaz A, Paredes V, Fierro L. Onychocryptosis as consequence of effective treatment of dermatophytic onychomycosis. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. May 2007;21(5):699-700. [Medline].

  2. Forman SB, Ferringer TC, Garrett AB. Basal cell carcinoma of the nail unit. J Am Acad Dermatol. May 2007;56(5):811-4. [Medline].

  3. Lee DY, Lee KJ, Kim WS, et al. Presence of specialized mesenchymal cells (onychofibroblasts) in the nail unit: implications for ingrown nail surgery. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. Apr 2007;21(4):575-6. [Medline].

  4. Finch JJ, Warshaw EM. Toenail onychomycosis: current and future treatment options. Dermatol Ther. Jan-Feb 2007;20(1):31-46. [Medline].

  5. Rigopoulos D, Larios G, Gregoriou S, et al. Acute and chronic paronychia. Am Fam Physician. Feb 1 2008;77(3):339-46. [Medline].

  6. Zook EG, Brown RE. The perionychium. In: Green DP, Hotchkiss RN. Operative Hand Surgery. Vol 2. 3rd ed. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone; 1993:1283-97.

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Further Reading

Zook EG, Brown RE. The perionychium. In: Green DP, Hotchkiss RN. Operative Hand Surgery. Vol 2. 3rd ed. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone; 1993:1283-97.

Louisiana State University Medical Center: Nail Procedures

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Keywords

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Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Rahi K Yallapragada, MBBS, MRCS, LATS StR, Plastic Surgery, Queen Victoria Hospital, UK
Rahi K Yallapragada, MBBS, MRCS, LATS StR is a member of the following medical societies: Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Medical Editor

Erik D Schraga, MD, Consulting Staff, Department of Emergency Medicine, Mills-Peninsula Emergency Medical Associates; Consulting Staff, Permanente Medical Group, Kaiser Permanente, Santa Clara Medical Center
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Pharmacy Editor

Mary L Windle, PharmD, Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy, Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine
Disclosure: Pfizer Inc Stock Investment from financial planner; Avanir Pharma Stock Investment from financial planner ; WebMD Salary and stock Employment and investment from financial planner

Chief Editor

Rick Kulkarni, MD, Medical Director, Assistant Professor of Surgery, Section of Emergency Medicine, Yale-New Haven Hospital
Rick Kulkarni, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Emergency Medicine, American College of Emergency Physicians, American Medical Association, American Medical Informatics Association, Phi Beta Kappa, and Society for Academic Emergency Medicine
Disclosure: WebMD Salary Employment

 
 
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