Treatment of pincer nail utilizing Zook's technique: report of 5 cases

Abstract

The pinching of the distal nail bed, caused by transverse overcurvature of the nail is called pincer nail. It frequently causes pain and aesthetic problems. Pincer nail may present in three frequent clinical types, one being the tile-shaped nail. The causes may be hereditary or acquired. The toes are most frequently affected. Conservative treatments are preferred by patients, although surgical treatments produce better, longer-lasting results. Among the surgical techniques, Zook's technique differs from others, because it preserves the matrix and consequently the size of nail. The authors evaluated five patients who presented pincer nails and were treated using Zook's technique.

Nail diseases; Nails, ingrown; Nails, malformed