Abstract: 【Abstract】 Pincer nails are a kind of nail deformity characterized by abnormal thickening and distal transverse overcurvature of the nail plate, whose etiology and pathogenesis are still unclear. According to the morphology of the nail plate, pincer nails can be divided into three subtypes: common pincer nail （trumpet nail）, tile?shaped nail, and plicated nail. Width index, height index and curvature index are objective indicators to evaluate the severity and therapeutic effect of the pincer nails. According to the classification and severity of the pincer nails, appropriate treatment methods can be adopted to improve the appearance of the nail plate and relieve clinical symptoms of patients. This review systematically summarizes the classification of, evaluation of the severity of and several therapeutic methods for pincer nails.

Key words: Nails, malformed, Pincer nail, Severity evaluation, Treatment, Nail surgery