Fingertip and nail bed injuries

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A moment of distraction is all it takes for a kitchen knife, power tool, or piece of industrial or farm equipment to crush or slice off a fingertip. In children, slamming doors, bicycle chains, and folding chairs are common threats to tiny fingers and nails. The authors, who are plastic surgeons, explain that an understanding of fingertip anatomy and basic surgical skills are needed to treat these wounds. They describe the most common types of fingertip injuries, assessment of the damage, and options for surgical treatment.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

El-Hussaen A. Abbase

EI-Hussaen A. Abbase, MD Helen E. Tadjalli, MD Saleh M. Shenaq, MD Dr Abbase (left) is instructor, division of plastic surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Dr Tadjalli (middle) is junior faculty associate, department of reconstructive plastic surgery, University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston. Dr Shenaq (right) is professor and acting chief, division of plastic surgery, Baylor College of Medicine. Their interests include reconstructive microsurgery, hand surgery, and plastic surgery research.

Helen E. Tadjalli

EI-Hussaen A. Abbase, MD Helen E. Tadjalli, MD Saleh M. Shenaq, MD Dr Abbase (left) is instructor, division of plastic surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Dr Tadjalli (middle) is junior faculty associate, department of reconstructive plastic surgery, University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston. Dr Shenaq (right) is professor and acting chief, division of plastic surgery, Baylor College of Medicine. Their interests include reconstructive microsurgery, hand surgery, and plastic surgery research.

Saleh M. Shenaq

EI-Hussaen A. Abbase, MD Helen E. Tadjalli, MD Saleh M. Shenaq, MD Dr Abbase (left) is instructor, division of plastic surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Dr Tadjalli (middle) is junior faculty associate, department of reconstructive plastic surgery, University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston. Dr Shenaq (right) is professor and acting chief, division of plastic surgery, Baylor College of Medicine. Their interests include reconstructive microsurgery, hand surgery, and plastic surgery research.