
Nail avulsion is a surgical or chemical procedure that involves the detachment of the nail plate from the surrounding structures. It is a frequently performed procedure, often used to treat severe ingrown toenails. The procedure can be partial or total, and may be used for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | The separation of the nail plate from the surrounding structures |
| Types | Partial nail avulsion, total nail avulsion |
| Purpose | To treat severe ingrown toenails, explore the nail unit for diagnostic purposes, or as a therapeutic tool in particular nail pathologies |
| Procedure | Detachment of the body of the nail plate from its primary adherences—the nail bed ventrally and the PNF proximally and dorsally |
| Approach | Distal or proximal anatomical approach |
| Anaesthesia | Local anaesthesia with or without epinephrine (1:2,00,000 dilution)> |
| Recovery | It can take a year or longer for a new nail to grow back after a total nail avulsion |
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What You'll Learn

Nail avulsion is a surgical procedure to treat severe ingrown toenails
There are two types of nail avulsions: partial and total. A partial nail avulsion involves the removal of part of the nail bed. The nail is numbed with anaesthetic, and the ingrown edge is removed. Any pus is also drained. A total nail avulsion, on the other hand, involves the complete removal of the nail. This procedure is usually reserved for chronic cases that have not responded to other treatments. It can take a year or longer for a new nail to grow back after a total nail avulsion.
Nail avulsion is the most frequently performed surgical procedure on the nail unit. It can be done for diagnostic purposes, such as exploring the nail unit for pathologies, or as a therapeutic tool for specific nail conditions. In addition to treating severe ingrown toenails, nail avulsion can also be used to treat onychocryptosis, excise tumours, and repair the nail matrix. The procedure is typically carried out under local anaesthesia.
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It involves the detachment of the body of the nail plate from its primary adherences
Nail avulsion is a surgical procedure that involves the detachment of the body of the nail plate from its primary adherences – the nail bed ventrally and the PNF proximally and dorsally. It is the most frequently performed surgical or nonsurgical, chemical procedure on the nail unit. It is often used to treat severe ingrown toenails, but it can also be used for diagnostic purposes, such as exploring the nail unit for signs of pathology.
There are two types of nail avulsion: partial and total. A partial nail avulsion involves the removal of part of the nail bed. During this procedure, the nail is numbed with an anaesthetic and the ingrown edge is removed. Any pus is also drained. A total nail avulsion involves the complete removal of the nail. It can take a year or longer for a new nail to grow back. This operation is usually reserved for chronic cases that have not responded to any other treatments.
Nail avulsion may be accomplished using either a distal or a proximal anatomical approach. The former is the most frequently used technique, in which the nail plate is released from its attachment to the nail bed at the hyponychium. In the latter, the nail plate is separated from the proximal nail fold (PNF) followed by a complete separation moving distally.
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Nail avulsion may be partial or total
Nail avulsion is a surgical procedure that involves the detachment of the nail plate from the nail bed and the PNF (proximal nail fold). It is a frequently performed procedure that can be done surgically or chemically. It is often used to treat severe ingrown toenails, but it can also be used for diagnostic purposes, such as exploring the nail unit for pathology or before a biopsy.
The choice between a partial and total nail avulsion depends on the severity of the condition and the response to previous treatments. For milder cases of ingrown toenails, a partial nail avulsion may be sufficient. However, for more severe or chronic cases that have not responded to other treatments, a total nail avulsion may be necessary.
In addition to treating ingrown toenails, nail avulsion can also be used to treat other nail pathologies, such as onychocryptosis, warts, onychomycosis, chronic paronychia, nail tumours, matricectomy and retronychia. It can also be used to repair the nail matrix or as a preliminary step before performing a biopsy on the nail bed and the nail matrix.
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It can be used to treat recalcitrant onychocryptosis
Nail avulsion is a surgical procedure that involves the detachment of the nail plate from the nail bed. It is a common treatment for severe ingrown toenails, and can be performed either partially or totally. During a partial nail avulsion, the nail is numbed with anaesthetic and the ingrown edge is removed, along with any pus. A total nail avulsion involves the complete removal of the nail, and is usually reserved for chronic cases that have not responded to other treatments. It can take a year or longer for a new nail to grow back after a total nail avulsion.
Nail avulsion can be used to treat recalcitrant onychocryptosis, which is a severe and persistent form of ingrown toenail. In cases of onychocryptosis, the nail grows into the surrounding skin, causing pain, inflammation, and infection. By performing a nail avulsion, the ingrown portion of the nail is removed, providing relief from symptoms and preventing further complications.
The procedure can be performed using either a distal or proximal anatomical approach. The distal approach, which is the most frequently used technique, involves releasing the nail plate from its attachment to the nail bed at the hyponychium. The proximal approach, on the other hand, involves separating the nail plate from the proximal nail fold (PNF) and then moving distally for complete separation.
Nail avulsion is a relatively simple procedure that can be performed under local anaesthesia. It is often carried out using the distal approach, as this provides full exposure of the nail matrix, which is necessary for effective treatment. In some cases, chemical avulsion may be used, which involves the application of 40% urea to separate the nail plate from the nail bed.
Nail avulsion is an effective treatment for recalcitrant onychocryptosis, as it addresses the underlying cause of the condition by removing the ingrown portion of the nail. This helps to alleviate pain and inflammation, and prevents the development of infections. By performing nail avulsion, patients can find relief from the symptoms of onychocryptosis and improve their overall nail health.
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It can be used to excise tumours of the nail unit
Nail avulsion is a surgical procedure that involves the detachment of the nail plate from the surrounding structures. It is frequently performed on the nail unit to treat severe ingrown toenails. There are two types of nail avulsion: partial and total. During a partial nail avulsion, the doctor removes part of the nail bed. The nail is numbed with anaesthetic and the ingrown edge is removed, along with any pus. A total nail avulsion involves the complete removal of the nail. This procedure is usually reserved for chronic cases that have not responded to other treatments. It can take a year or longer for a new nail to grow back.
Nail avulsion can also be used to excise tumours of the nail unit. This involves the removal of the entire nail plate to expose the nail matrix. The nail matrix is the area under the cuticle where new nail cells are generated. By removing the nail plate, doctors can access and examine the nail matrix, nail bed, and surrounding structures to identify and remove any tumours. This approach allows for a more comprehensive evaluation and treatment of nail tumours.
The procedure can be performed using either a distal or proximal anatomical approach. The distal approach is the most common technique, where the nail plate is released from its attachment to the nail bed at the hyponychium. In the proximal approach, the nail plate is separated from the proximal nail fold (PNF) first, followed by a complete separation moving distally. The choice of approach depends on the location and extent of the tumour, as well as the surgeon's preference.
Nail avulsion for tumour excision is typically performed under local anaesthesia to ensure patient comfort. It is a relatively simple procedure, but it requires precision and expertise to minimise the risk of damage to the surrounding structures. After the procedure, patients may experience some pain, swelling, and discomfort, which can be managed with appropriate medications and care.
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Frequently asked questions
Nail avulsion is a surgical procedure that involves the detachment of the body of the nail plate from its primary adherences – the nail bed ventrally and the PNF proximally and dorsally.
A nail bed avulsion is the detachment of the fingernail, or toenail, from the bed. It can be partial or full and is usually caused by trauma or infection.
There are two types of nail avulsion: partial nail avulsion and total nail avulsion. A partial nail avulsion involves the removal of part of the nail bed, while a total nail avulsion involves the complete removal of the nail.
Nail avulsion is used to treat severe ingrown toenails. It can also be used to treat recalcitrant onychocryptosis, excise tumors of the nail unit, and repair the nail matrix.











































