INJURIES TO THE NAIL BED IN CHILDHOOD

Many fingertip injuries in childhood involve the nail bed. Deformities of the nail are a frequent result of failure to repair the nail bed a t the time of injury. Secondary correction of nail deformities seldom achieves good results. We present the results of our experience in the management of 19 children with 22 injuries involving the nail bed. Al l achieved normal nail growth and the overall result of the repair was good in 91%. Complications were few and parental satisfaction with th e management was high. Every effort should be made to perform a meticu lous primary repair of all nail bed injuries.