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Clinical pearl: A novel use of Backhaus towel clip for isolating ingrown lateral nail plate from its gutter
*Corresponding author: Muhammed Mukhtar, Department of Dermatology, Mukhtar Skin Centre, Katihar, Bihar, India. drmmukhtar20@gmail.com
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Received: ,
Accepted: ,
How to cite this article: Mukhtar M. Clinical pearl: A novel use of Backhaus towel clip for isolating ingrown lateral nail plate from its gutter. CosmoDerma 2023;3:65.
PROBLEM
Nail splinting is a standard procedure for treating ingrown nails. For this, we have to separate the distal part of the lateral plate from its gutter for putting in polytube, cyanoacrylate glue, and cotton balls as per the situation.[1,2] However, the isolation of the nail plate with dental spatula and freer’s elevators is often difficult and painful. Mosquito forceps can be used to evert the nail plate, but there is a chance of slippage of the nail plate with the forceps.[3] Here, the authors have described a novel use of Backhaus towel clip to isolate ingrown nail plates from their gutters.
SOLUTION
Under asepsis without local anesthesia, the distal free part of lateral nail plate without nail bed tissue is secured with towel clip [Figure 1]. After locking the clip, the nail plate gets pierced [Figure 2a]. Following this, isolation of the ingrown nail plate is done with outward and upward pressure without untoward pressure on nail bed and its gutter. Thus, the ingrown nail is isolated from its gutter with the clip [Figure 2b]. In this state, the nail plate can be splinted with polytube, cotton ball, dental floss, or cyanoacrylate glue. Along with it, this hole in the nail can be used to splint the nail plate with soft cotton thread with the help of a suture needle [Figure 3a and b]. Thus, the towel clip could be a good device for isolating and splinting the ingrown nail.
- The Backhaus towel clip used for piercing and everting ingrown nail plate.
- Towels clip used for holding the ingrown nail plate (a) and isolating from its gutter (b).
- (a and b) The pierced ingrown nail is sealed with soft cotton thread using suture needle.
Declaration of patient consent
Patient’s consent not required as patient’s identity is not disclosed or compromised.
Conflicts of interest
There are no conflicts of interest.
Financial support and sponsorship
Nil.
References
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