Subungual exostosis: Surgical treatment of five patients: Case report [Subungual ekzositoz: Beş olguda cerrahi tedavi]

Subungual exostosis (SUE) is a benign osteocartilaginous tumor arising from distal aspect of terminal phalanx. Clinicaly, it is characterised by triad of pain, nail deformity and typical radiological features, commonly affecting adolescents and young adults. The appropriate treatment for this condition is surgical excision. Delay in treatment usually results in elevation and deformity of the nail, pain, and secondary periungual infection. Incomplete excision or incomplete maturation of the lesion may cause local recurrences. Here, we report our experience with six patients using surgical technique that involves closing the defect caused by excision of the tumoral tissue and matrisectomi (if necessary) with soft tissue flaps from the pulpa. With this simple and effective procedure we achieved rapid recovery and good cosmetic outcomes with no signs of complication or recurrence with 24 months follow-up. Copyright © 2010 by Türkiye Klinikleri