Nail salvage using the eponychial flap

Loss of distal fingertip bone and soft tissue defect can be treated using different methods, but the involvement of the nail influences the choice of surgical approach and makes reconstruction more difficult. The eponychial flap is a backward cutaneous translation flap that lengthens the nail plate and restores a good appearance of the nail apparatus. Pulp reconstruction is usually performed using local flaps (Tranquilli-Leali or Venkataswami flaps). The eponychial flap technique is a safe and easy technique that is indicated in cases of transverse fingertip angulations for lengthening the short amputated nail. This procedure can be used in combination with different flaps for pulp reconstruction. © 2006 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc.