Presentation, microsurgical therapy, and clinical outcomes in three cases of expanding melanonychia of the nail unit in children

Leclère, Franck Marie P; Mordon, Serge; Leroy, Marc; Lefebvre, Catherine; Schoofs, Michel (2011). Presentation, microsurgical therapy, and clinical outcomes in three cases of expanding melanonychia of the nail unit in children. Archives of orthopaedic and trauma surgery, 131(10), pp. 1453-7. Berlin: Springer 10.1007/s00402-011-1288-3

Preview

Text Lecl_re2011_Article_PresentationMicrosurgicalThera.pdf - Published Version Available under License Publisher holds Copyright. Download (1MB) | Preview

The management of expanding melanonychia in childhood is controversial. Here, we present three cases and discuss their operating indications and reconstruction. Between January 1, 1995 and December 31, 2007, one boy and two girls, were operated for expanding melanonychia, involving the thumb, index finger or the middle finger. They were 2, 4, and 7 years at the time of surgery. A complete resection of the nail plate was performed followed by a direct finger reconstruction using a free short-pedicle vascularized nail flap of the toe. Histology showed a junctional nevus in all cases. The follow-ups were after 2, 3, and 5 years and without any complications or recurrence. Regarding reconstruction, the mean Foucher and Leclère score were, respectively, 17 and 16 points. It is concluded that for expanding melanonychia, in case of doubt, an examination of the entire lesion is necessary. Reconstruction of the nail unit after wide excision with nail plate ablation can be performed using microsurgery as discussed below. However, new guidelines on shave biopsy can make this microsurgical procedure obsolete.

Interest & Impact

Downloads

66 since deposited on 04 Oct 2013
40 in the past 12 months

Citations

5 Citations in Web of Science ®
6 Citations in Scopus

Search

in Google Scholar™

Services

Actions (login required)

Edit item

Actions (login required)

Edit item