Treatment of Nail Bed Defects with Hard Palate Mucosal Grafts

Abstract

Background:

Nail bed defects produce a nail plate dystrophy that is permanent and presents important cosmetic problems. To correct the defect, we used a hard palate mucosal graft. This is a procedure with encouraging outcomes for nail bed scars.

Objective:

To show our initial experience with the hard palate mucosal graft technique for correcting nail dystrophy or permanent onycholysis secondary to a nail bed scar.

Methods:

This was a prospective, longitudinal, descriptive, observational study. We included five patients with a traumatic nail bed scar and one patient with congenital dystrophy. Seven nails were treated using a hard palate mucosal graft.

Results:

All repaired nails had a good outcome, with excellent growth and improvement in nail dystrophy. The patients had surgical recovery in 2 weeks and tolerable pain.

Conclusions:

This is a relatively easy procedure for experienced surgeons to correct nail dystrophy secondary to a nail bed scar, with good to excellent results.