Nail surgery: General principles, fundamental techniques, and practical applications

Abstract

Despite being an integral part of dermatologic surgery, nail surgery is infrequently performed in daily practice. Indeed, it is frequently considered difficult, time-consuming, and the results take a long time to be observed. Nonetheless, nail pathology is a frequent cause of dermatology consultation, so dermatologists should be familiar with its diagnosis and therapeutic approach, which often involves surgical procedures. This article provides a review of nail surgery, focusing on the anatomy of this region, anesthesia of the ungual apparatus, common surgical techniques, reconstruction of defects in these locations, and a general approach to the most frequently encountered conditions in clinical practice.