Correction of pincer-nail deformities with autograft or homograft dermis: modified surgical technique.

The pincer-nail deformity is characterized by an excessively curved and distorted nail across the transverse dimension. Forty-nine sides (paronychial folds) were dissected off the distal phalanx periosteum with scissors and/or a small elevator. The dermis was placed between the paronychial fold and the plalanx to flatten the germinal and sterile matrix. Direct comparison of autograft dermis to homograft dermis did not show any significant differences in postcorrection appearance of the nail or relief of symptoms. Surgical time averaged 22 minutes less in those patients having reconstruction on both sides of one nail with homograft dermis.