Granulation tissue produced by the foreign body reaction can produce lateral wall hypertrophy.
Because this tissue is abnormal, some doctors recommend that it be removed at the time of nail surgery.
Removal can be done by scalpel excision or by electrosurgical excision or ablation.
Tissue removal may produce an excavated defect in the lateral tissue at the time of the procedure.
This defect fills over several weeks as the remaining normal lateral tissue grows to the lateral edge of the newly formed nail.