Transfer of the Second Toe for Reconstruction of the Hand after Trauma

Abstract

Twenty-six transfers of second toe to hand have been carried out in 25 cases. On 25 occasions the toe was anastomosed to the stump of the thumb, and in one to a metacarpal hand. Revascularization failed in five cases, but the remaining 21 healed with bony union occurring within six weeks in all cases. The mean follow up period was 52 months, range 14–81, and the results in 19 thumb cases were classified as excellent and in one as good by the Tamai score. We conclude that the microsurgical technique of transferring the second toe to the hand is challenging, but if revascularization is sucessful the functional results are good. Morbidity at the donor site is minimal.

Key Words:

• microsurgery
• thumb amputation
• toe transfer