Role of High Magnification Using Operative Microscope in Surgical Clearance of Glomus Tumor in Distal Phalanx: An Experience of 13 Cases

BACKGROUND: Glomus because of their small size in fingers presents difficulty in clear visualization in the operation theater and requires magnifying techniques. Because of the dearth of infrastructure in many hospitals, the excision of these is done with either no or inadequate magnification. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has become the gold standard investigation as glomus tumors can be visualized on radiology very clearly. The reason for recurrence given in the literature is access to tumors by the type of surgical approach for clear visualization, but high magnification being the most important, as the size of glomus is very small has no or limited mention in the literature. Being in a tertiary care hospital, we have analyzed the role of high magnification in the excision of glomus and its impact on recurrence as the end outcome. AIM: To understand the role of intraoperative high magnification using operative microscope and its advantages in the surgical clearance of glomus tumor of fingers. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Retrospective record review. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirteen cases of glomus tumor in the phalanges over a period of 7 years were operated under operative microscope with a magnification ranging from 10× to 12.5×; data and mean follow-up to 5.5 years have been analyzed. RESULTS: Age ranged from 24 to 72 years; all the glomus tumors were in the distal phalanx. Three cases had bony erosion on MRI scan. We had an equal distribution of three cases each in the thumb, ring, and middle finger. CONCLUSIONS: (1) High magnification with operative microscope is essential during the excision of glomus tumor especially in the distal phalanx in order to prevent recurrence; (2) advantages of high magnification are clear delineation with complete tumor excision, with meticulous repair of nail bed.