Our first multicentre randomised control trial will be on nail bed injuries: should the nail plate be replaced or not? It is a simple topic but one that frequently provokes a debate across the operating table.

Nail bed injuries constitute 20% of hand trauma cases. Recent retrospective studies suggest that not replacing the nail plate results in lower complication rates and fewer outpatient visits. This needs to be established by a formal RCT. A small change in management has the potential to improve clinical care for many patients.

We want this trial to be driven by trainees but with consultant support. It has  been approved by the BSSH and BAPRAS research committees and the Oxford Surgical Intervention Trials Unit (SITU).

A draft protocol has been written but requires discussion and engagement with hand trauma units before being submitted.

If you would like to get involved, please register a place for our trials meeting at the Royal College of Surgeons of England on Friday 28th February.