Photo-Documentation of Thumbnail Regrowth After Surgical Avulsion: Case Report and Literature Review

Objective: We present a case of thumbnail regrowth and photo-documentation after a complete surgical avulsion and nail bed biopsy. Methods: A complete surgical avulsion of the right thumbnail was performed and the regrowth was photo-documented. Results: Complete regrowth was achieved by 33 weeks after avulsion, and the photos were compiled into a time-lapse video. Conclusions: The established literature indicates that rate of nail growth is multifactorial. One variable that may contribute to rate of growth is the status of the nail itself, intact or avulsed. The growth rate of the thumbnail in our patient is comparable to the growth rates documented for intact nails. The literature on this subject is reviewed.