Crab-shaped hand reconstruction: bilateral second toes transfer for reconstruction of total hand or total digits defect / 中华骨科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To report the result of bilateral second toes transfer for reconstruction of total hand or total digits defect. Methods A series of 14 total hand or total digits defect were reconstructed by transplantation of 2nd toes from both feet forming a crab-shaped hand. Among 14 cases, 11 cases were males and 3 females. The patients were aged from 4-44 years, with an average of 22.7 years. One of the 14 cases was of congenital deformity and the other 13 were caused by trauma. The 14 cases were classified into three types according to the level of amputation; Type Ⅰ defect at the distal end of the metacarpal bone with good function of abductor pollicis in 6 cases; Type Ⅱ at the proximal end of carpus or the level of wrist joint in 5 cases; and type Ⅲ at the forearm end stump in 3 cases. All the operations were successful. Results All 28 transferred toes survived uneventfully with good blood supply and pulp fullness and elasticity. Follow-up examination made at mean 6.6 years postoperative period (2-15 years) showed that mean total active motion (TAM) of IP joints of reconstructed digit was 57.5? (35?-105?). All the 14 cases had restored digital function, such as opposition of the fingers, pinching a pencil, a key, a needle or holding an ink-bottle. The mean distance between the two reconstructed digital pulps was 4.3 cm (2.6-6.5 cm). Judging by the evaluation standard of British Medical Institute, sensation recovery to S3+ was obtained in 20 digits of 10 cases. Based on the trial criteria of the function of hand reconstruction of hand surgery society of Chinese Medical Association, 2 were assessed as excellent, 7 good, 4 fair and 1 poor. Conclusion Reconstruction of crab-shaped hand for total hand or total digits defect by transfer of bilateral 2nd toes with metatarso-phalangeal joint can give the patient reasonable prehensile function without much impairment to foot function.