Abstract
Objectives: Glomus tumors are stem from glomus bodies and usually found in subungual region. The definitive treatment is complete surgical removal. For this purpose, different surgical approaches have been described. The common goals of all described approaches are to provide easier access to the tumor and to minimize the risk of nail deformity. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the clinical results of glomus tumors excised by transungual approach.
Methods: The study was performed retrospectively in 20 patients (16 women, 4 men) with subungual tumors. The diagnosis of glomus tumor was confirmed histopathologically in all patients. Preoperative and postoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) was used for pain assessment. Nail deformation, cold intolerance and recurrence were evaluated at the final follow-up.
Results: The mean age was 46 years (29-74, SD: 12) and the mean follow-up time was 29 months (12-60, SD: 12,3). In the postoperative period, a mean decrease of 8 (4-10, SD: 1,44) points was found in VAS values compared to the preoperative period (p<0.05). Two patients had cold intolerance at the final follow up. Recurrence and nail deformity were not detected in any patients.
Conclusion: Traditional transungual approach is a reliable method with low complication and recurrence rates for excision of subungual glomus tumors.

Key words: glomus; hand tumors; transungual approach