Microsurgical toe to thumb transplantation for traumatic thumb loss.

ABSTRACT

Toe-to-thumb transfer was performed on 13 patients with traumatic thumb loss, using microvascular technique. Of those, 9 patients had industrial injury, 3 patients had a sharp cut injury and the remaining one had animal bite injury. The toes used for the transfer were the great toe(5), and the second toe(8). There were twelve successes, and one partial success. Ten patients have been followed-up for more than 12 months, and they are reviewed in detail. Total active motion after great toe and second toe transfer was 45 degrees and 68 degrees respectively. Static two-point discrimination was 10-15 mm in 10 patients. The donor foot did not suffer functionally. All of the patients returned to gainful employment postoperatively.