MICROGRAPHIC SURGERY FOR SUBUNGUAL SQUAMOUS-CELL CARCINOMA

Eight patients were treated for subungual squamous cell carcinoma (4 f emale, 4 male; mean age 61 years). History of disease ranged from 9 mo nths to 14 years (mean 4.7 years). Outpatient surgery under local anae sthetic was performed using Mohs micrographic surgery and formalin-fix ed histological specimens. Tumour clearance was achieved after 2-6 pro cedures (median 3) over a mean period of 6.9 days. In all cases the wo unds were allowed to heal by secondary intention and the distal phalan x was preserved. During a mean follow-up period of 3.1 years (range 0. 5-6), no recurrence was seen and involved digits remained functional. Mobs micrographic surgery can provide a valuable alternative to amputa tion for subungual squamous cell carcinoma.