Surgical Treatment of Glomus Tumor at the Nail Root of the Finger Using a Distal Transverse Arc Incision Approach of the Lunula

Background Glomus tumors are rare, benign neoplasms that often occur beneath the nail plate, leading to significant pain and cold hypersensitivity. Complete excision is the standard treatment, but traditional surgical approaches may damage the nail matrix and result in nail deformities. This study introduces a novel surgical technique—the distal transverse arc incision of the lunula—and evaluates its safety, efficacy, and cosmetic outcomes. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 20 patients with histologically confirmed glomus tumors located at the nail root between November 2021 and May 2024. All patients underwent tumor excision via the distal transverse arc incision approach. Visual analog scale (VAS) was used to quantify preoperative and postoperative pain levels. Clinical features, intraoperative findings, recurrence rates, and cosmetic outcomes were assessed during follow‐up. Results All patients experienced complete resolution of preoperative pain and cold hypersensitivity, with the mean VAS score significantly decreasing from 7.55 ± 1.15 preoperatively to 0.20 ± 0.44 at 1 month postoperatively. No tumor recurrence was observed during a mean follow‐up of 18.2 months. All patients showed no clinically evident nail deformity postoperatively. The surgical field provided sufficient exposure for complete en bloc tumor excision while preserving the germinal matrix. Conclusion The distal transverse arc incision of the lunula offers a reliable, minimally invasive, and cosmetically favorable approach for excising glomus tumors at the nail root. This technique achieves both functional and esthetic satisfaction with low complication and recurrence rates.