Treatment of uncomplicated subungual haematoma

Report By: Nicola Batrick - Specialist Registrar
Search checked by Kambiz Hashemi and Ramzi Freij - Consultants
Institution: Mayday University Hospital
Date Submitted: 1st March 2000
Date Completed: 23rd January 2003
Last Modified: 23rd January 2003
Status: Green (complete)

Three Part Question

In [a patient presenting with a sizeable uncomplicated subungual haematoma] is [removing the nail and repairing the nail bed laceration better than simple trephining] at [providing the best cosmetic and functional result]?

Clinical Scenario

A patient attends the emergency department having sustained a crush injury to the tip of their right index finger. This has resulted in a painful subungual haematoma but no other significant fingertip injury.

Search Strategy

Medline 1966-10/02 using the OVID interface.
[subungual haematoma.mp OR nail bed laceration.mp OR nail bed injuries.mp OR exp NAILS/su] LIMIT to human AND English.

Search Outcome

Altogether 312 papers were identified of which 308 were considered to be irrelevant or of insufficient quality for inclusion. The other 4 papers are shown in the table.