Onychomatricomas: Assessing Surgical Outcomes

Abstract

Background: Onychomatricoma (OM) is a rare benign tumor of the nail matrix. Treatment is surgical, but data are currently limited.

Objective: To review all cases of OM operated in their department and to assess the link between the location on the nail plate, the thickness and width of the lesion, and the postoperative outcomes.

Materials and methods: Records of 62 patients were retrieved from their department's database over a 25-year period (1998-2023).

Results: Of the 62 patients, 41 were eligible. In total, 58% of OM occupied a width of a quarter of the nail plate, 51% had a plate thinner than 3 mm, and 51% were laterally located. Of the 41 patients included, 29 had a tangential excision and 12 underwent lateral longitudinal excision. Among the tangential excision group, 71% had normal nail regrowth. Onychomatricoma thicker than 3 mm and involving the total nail plate width had a sequelae in 60% of cases.

Conclusion: Tangential excision of onychomatricomas allows a normal nail regrowth in 71% of cases. The risk of sequelae increases for tumors thicker than 3 mm and involving the total nail plate width. Medial or lateral location seems to have no influence.