-Case Reports-

Does a Bone Deformity of the Distal Phalanx Undergo Remodeling after Removal of a Congenital Ectopic Nail?: A Case with Periodic Radiographic Follow-up

Kazufumi Sano and Hiko Hyakusoku

Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Nippon Medical School Hospital

Background: Congenital ectopic nails are rare and are characterized by the presence of nail-like tissue mainly at the tip of a finger or toe.
Objective: Although the accompanying bone deformity might undergo remodeling after removal of the ectopic nail, it remains unknown whether complete bone remodeling can be eventually achieved, and whether such remodeling is necessary to improve the final cosmetic appearance of the concerned fingertip.
Methods and Results: Follow-up with periodic radiographic examination for 1 year after surgery in a child with congenital ectopic nail revealed no bone remodeling, despite the satisfactory cosmetic result.
Conclusion: We conclude that residual bone deformity does not affect the final appearance.

J Nippon Med Sch 2006; 73: 332-336

Keywords
ectopic nail, bone deformity, nail deformity, surgical treatment

Correspondence to
Kazufumi Sano, MD, PhD, Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Nippon Medical School Hospital, 1-1-5 Sendagi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8603, Japan
prssano@nifty.com

Received, September 1, 2006
Accepted, September 22, 2006