Surgical treatment of subungual glomus tumor: a unique and simple method.

BACKGROUND: The glomus tumor, described as a painful subcutaneous nodule, commonly occurs in subungual regions and is accompanied by tenderness and temperature sensitivity. In treatment of subungual glomus tumor, surgical excision is known to be the only curative method. Under surgical approach, it is challenging to minimize postoperative nail deformity and to reduce tumor recurrence. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of surgical treatment of subungual glomus tumor using simple blunt dissection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-three patients diagnosed with subungual glomus tumor underwent surgical procedure using a dorsal transungual approach. A single linear incision was made above the tumor, and the exposed mass was meticulously dissected with the opposite end of a single-end probe, and the tumor "popped up." Recurrence of symptom, tumor recurrence, and local complication were evaluated through long-term follow-up. RESULTS: After a mean follow-up period of 30 months, only one case recurred, and partial-thickness skin necrosis occurred around the tourniquet site. There was no postoperative nail deformity. CONCLUSIONS: In treatment of subungual glomus tumor, meticulous simple blunt dissection using a transungual approach led the tumor to "pop up" from the tumor bed. This unique and simple method of treating subungual glomus tumor showed low recurrence and minimal complications.