• Korean Journal of Optics and Photonics
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.155-161
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• 2002

The nail bed is located under the finger nail. The arched portions of the nail bed, which contain a large number of capillary loops, are separated by the valley of the nail bed. The valley of the nail bed does not contain capillary loops. Light is scattered when it propagates through the dermis of skin, and human blood strongly absorbs the light with proper wavelength. By use of the optical properties of the nail bed, we propose an optical technique which extracts the nail bed image of the finger nail. After achieving nail bed images of each individual, we correlated between them. The correlation outputs show that we can identify individuals by comparing the peak heights of the correlation outputs.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.788-794
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• 2010

Purpose: The fingertip is the most commonly injured part of the hand and its injury frequently results in avulsion or crushing of a segment of the nail bed and fracture of the distal phalangeal bone. Restoration of a flat and smooth nail bed is essential for regrowth of a normal nail, which is important not only for cosmetic reasons but also for tactile capability of the fingertip. It is also anatomical reduction of the distal phalanx to promote patient's cosmetics and prevent nail bed deformity. Absence or no replacement of the nail plate results in obliterated proximal skin fold. When the avulsed nail plate cannot be returned to its anatomic position or when it is absent, we use a synthetic material for splinting the nail bed and alternative reductional method for distal phalangeal bone fracture, especially, instead of hardwares. Methods: From January of 2006 to June of 2009, a total of ten patients and fourteen fingers with crushing or avulsion injuries of the fingertip underwent using the artificial nails for finger splint. We shaped artificial nails into the appropriate sizes for use as fingernail plates. We placed them under the proximal skin fold and sutured to the fold proximally and to the lateral and medial edges of the nail bed or to the distal fingertip. Our splints were as hard as K-wire and other fixation methods and more similar to anatomic nail plates. Artificial nails were kept in place for at least 3 weeks. Results: No artificial nail related complication was noted in any of the ten cases. No other nail fold or nail bed complications were observed, except for minor distal nail deformity because of trauma. Conclusion: In conclusion, in order to secure the nail bed after injury and reduce the distal phalangeal bone fracture, preparing a nail bed splint from a artificial commercial nail is a cheap and effective method, especially, for crushed or avulsion injuries of the fingertip.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.57-62
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• 2019

Background Full-thickness nail bed defects with significant exposure of the distal phalanx are typically challenging to reconstruct. We describe a novel method of nail bed defect reconstruction using a thenar fascial flap combined with nail bed grafting. Methods Full-thickness nail bed defects were reconstructed in a 2-stage operation involving the placement of a thenar fascial flap and subsequent nail bed grafting. A proximally-based skin flap was designed on the thenar eminence. The flap was elevated distally to proximally, and the fascial layer covering the thenar muscle was dissected proximally to distally. The skin flap was then closed and the dissected fascial flap was turned over (proximal to distal) and inset onto the defect. The finger was immobilized for 2 weeks, and the flap was dressed with wet and ointment dressings. After 2 weeks, the flap was divided and covered with a split-thickness nail bed graft from the great toe. Subsequent nail growth was evaluated on follow-up. Results Nine patients (9 fingers) treated with the novel procedure were evaluated at follow-up examinations. Complete flap survival was noted in all cases, and all nail bed grafts took successfully. Five outcomes (55.6%) were graded as excellent, three (33.3%) as very good, and one (11.1%) as fair. No donor site morbidities of the thenar area or great toe were observed. Conclusions When used in combination with a nail bed graft, the thenar fascial flap provides an excellent means of nail bed reconstruction.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.107-112
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• 2006

If autogenous nail is lost in nail bed injuries, alternative effective nail bed protection material is questionable in postoperative follow up period. The conventional modality with autogenous nail coverage have several disadvantages such as drawback of maintenance, higher chance of loss and complex dressing step (eg. ointment apply for humidification and nail fixation using tape or bandage). So, we have studied the usefulness of adhesive silicone gel sheet for alternative nail bed protection material until the end of nail regeneration. From March 2003 to July 2004, we have experienced 215 traumatic nail bed injuries except fingertip loss. Among these patient, we classified two groups, 30 cases with autogenous nail protection(Group I) and 30 cases with adhesive silicone gel sheet protection(Group II). Mean full nail growth time was 3.6 months in group I and 3.8 months in group II. Mean final nail appearance score(0: poor, 4: excellent) was 3.0 in group I and 3.5 in group II. Adhesive silicone gel sheet protection(Group II) was slightly superior to the autogenous nail protection in final appearance, especially sterile matrix laceration. In conclusion, we believe that adhesive silicone gel sheet application is a simple, acceptable, alternative method for protecting nail bed with loss of autogenous nail. It has a number of advantages compared with autogenous nail such as better humidification, controllable hygiene, less pain, less hospitalization, less frequent visit, less chance of loss, avoiding complex dressing step and more even pressure with adhesiveness, flexibility and durability.

• The Journal of the Korean bone and joint tumor society
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.83-88
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• 2012

We reviewed the clinical features of 2 patients who underwent surgery for subungal exostosis, focusing on postoperative deformity of the nail. The lesion destroyed the nail bed and was excised with a direct approach. then thin split-thickness sterile matrix graft was done after excision of the tumor because the defect of the nail bed was large. Good postoperative appearance of the nail was obtained by thin split-thickness sterile matrix graft. The use of thin split-thickness sterile matrix graft for the replacement of a nail bed defect can regain a smooth, adherent, and normal-looking nail and avoid donor-site morbidity. Thin split-thickness toe-nail bed graft is a good choice for the prevention of postoperative deformity.

• Korean Journal of Optics and Photonics
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.114-122
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• 2004

In this paper, we proposed an optical encryption and decryption technique that uses a nail bed pattern as a key-code. Since the technique uses a nail bed pattern that is a biometric signal of an encryptor, the technique is robust about a fake key or illegal use of a key. In addition to this, the encrypted image contains the biometric information of the encryptor. This makes the proposed technique also be applied to authentication.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.46 no.6
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• pp.580-588
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• 2019

Background There are various reconstructive options for nail bed defects. However, it is challenging not to leave a deformity. In this study, we investigated differences in outcomes depending on the reconstruction method, attempted to determine which method was better, and analyzed other factors that may affect outcomes. Methods The long-term outcomes of nail bed reconstruction were reviewed retrospectively. We performed three types of reconstruction depending on the defect type: composite grafts of severed segments, nail bed grafts from the big toe, and two-stage surgery (flap coverage first, followed by a nail bed graft). Subsequent nail growth was evaluated during follow-up, and each outcome was graded based on Zook's criteria. The reconstruction methods were statistically analyzed. Other factors that could contribute to the outcomes, including age, the timing of surgery, germinal matrix involvement, defect size, and the presence of bone injuries, were also compared. Results Twenty-one patients (22 digits) who underwent nail bed reconstruction were evaluated. The type of reconstruction method did not show a significant relationship with the outcomes. However, patients who sustained injuries in the germinal matrix and patients with a defect larger than half the size of the nail bed had significantly worse outcomes than the comparison groups. Conclusions The results suggest that no operative method was superior to another in terms of the outcomes of nail bed reconstruction. Nevertheless, involvement of the germinal matrix and defect size affected the outcomes.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.377-382
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• 2007

Purpose: Hook nail deformity is caused by inadequately supported nail bed due to loss of distal phalanx or lack of soft tissue, resulting in a claw-like nail form. A composite graft from the foot bencath the nail bed gives adequate restoration of tip pulp. Methods: From September of 1999 to March of 2004, six patients were treated for hook nail deformity and monitored for long term follow up. Donor sites were the lateral side of the big toe or instep area of the foot. We examined cosmetic appearance and nail hooking and sensory test. The curved nail was measured by the picture of before and after surgery. Results: In all cases, composite grafts were well taken, and hook nail deformities were corrected. The curved nail of the 4 patients after surgery were improved to average $28.7^{\circ}$ from average $55.2^{\circ}$ before surgery. The static two point discrimination average was 6.5mm and the moving two point discrimination average was 5.8mm in the sensory test. Conclusion: Composite graft taken from foot supports the nail bed with the tissue closely resembling the fingertip tissue, making it possible for anatomical and histological rebuilding of fingertip.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.113-116
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• 2011

Purpose: Many fingertip injuries are associated with nail injury and it is hard to repair to original shape due to its unique characteristic. Mucosal graft is used for a defect of the nail bed injury. Hereby, we introduce a DAP flap and buccal mucosal graft, with which we could reduce the defect size of the injured fingertip and donor site morbidity at the same time, without any need for harvesting additional skin from other part of hand. Also, mucosal graft makes good cosmetic and functional outcome of nail. Methods: This method was performed in a 56-year-old man with fingertip injury on dorsal side of left thumb due to electrical saw. First, DAP flap was performed on the injured finger to reduce the size of the defect of fingertip and cover the bone exposure. Second, nail bed part of the DAP flap was de-epithelized and buccal mucosal graft was done from left side of intraoral cavity wall. Results: Flap and graft survived without any necrosis but some nail bed could not be covered with flap due to insufficient flap size. All wounds healed well and did not present any severe adversary symptoms. Conclusion: DAP flap with mucosal graft is an effective method that we can easily apply in reconstruction of fingertip injury. We suggest that the combination of the two procedures makes good functional and cosmetic outcome compared to the usual manner, especially in cases of nail bed injury without distal phalanx bone defect.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.763-766
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• 2005

The restoration of the fingernail is not simple in case of amputated distal fingertip which involved the pulp and nail. The nail should maintain a length of at least 2 mm from the eponychium for an adequate grip and decent appearance. Various methods to reconstruct the fingernail bed are available. The nail bed graft from amputated finger or great toe, and free onychocutaneous flap are commonly used. The nail bed of the injured tip tends to be atrophied, deformed and failed as a graft. And the great toe is often turned down as a donor. We have restored satisfactorily the nail beds of three injured finger tips with eponychial cutaneous flaps. The pulps were reconstructed with either a reverse dorsal digital island flap or free pulp graft. Repeated again. A mean follow- up was six months. The nail grew up to the average of 3.7 mm. All patients were satisfied with the length of the nail and met with good cosmetic results. An eponychial cutaneous flap is useful to restore the nail of the distal fingertip amputation. The procedure is relatively simple and morbidity is minimum.