Immediate Nail Bed Graft on Exposed Distal Phalanx in Fingertip Injury

Abstract

Fingertip injuries with nail bed defects have traditionally been covered with full- or split-thickness nail bed grafts. However, it was widely understood, without sufficient evidence, that graft take is difficult if the nail bed is grafted directly on the distal phalanx. This study reports two successful cases of nail bed graft on sterile matrix defects with exposed bare cortical bone. Two patients suffered a crush injury on their fingers. While there was no fracture, the distal phalanx was exposed with a nailbed defect. As the defect was too large for primary closure and too small for flap coverage, a sterile matrix nailbed graft was performed using the ipsilateral big toe. In both cases, damaged nails have grown fully, identical to the contralateral finger with smooth and flat regrowth of the nail and adherence of the growing nail. Both outcomes were graded as excellent according to Zook’s criteria. No major complication was found except for a minor ingrown nail on donor site in both cases. Even if there is a nail bed defect with exposure of cortical bone, successful nail reconstruction could be obtained through immediate nailbed graft on the exposed distal phalanx.