Reconstruction of finger joints using the proximal interphalangeal joint of the second toe / 中华显微外科杂志

ABSTRACT

@#Objective To assess the clinical efficacy of repair of thumb joints using the proximal interphalangeal joint of the second toe. Methods Proximal interphalangeal joint grafts of the second toe with vascular anastomosis were used to repair 54 fingers defects in 49 cases, including reconstruction of metacarpophalangeal joints in 21 fingers,proximal interphaiangeal joints in 28 fingers and distal interphaiangeal joints in 5 fingers, amounting to 38 fingers of entire joint transplantation and 16 fingers of semi-joint transplantation. An assessment was made for the clinical efficacy after the reconstruction. Results All 54 grafted joints in 49 cases survived. Primary postoperative healing was achieved. Followed-up from 6 to 19 months, all grafted joints clinically healed within 4 to 8 weeks. The bone healing time was 6 to 12 weeks. Degeneration of grafted joints was absent. Neither nonunion nor re-fracture was observed. The postoperative flexion activity range of proximal interphalangeal joints was 35°-90°, averaged 65°; the flexion range of metacarpophalangeal joints was 30°-75°, averaged 45°; the flexion range of distal interphalangeal joints was 25°-65°, averaged 35°. According to the joint activity criteria TAM / TAF, there were 23 grafted fingers of excellence, 25 of satisfaction, 5 of average and 3 of poor recovery. Favorable grafts accounted for 84 percent. Best efficacy was evidenced in proximal interphalangeal joint grafts, followed by metacarpophalengeal ones,whereas distal interphalangeal transplantation provided poorer outcomes. Conclusion Repair of thumb joint defects using proximal interphalangeal joint grafts of the second toe free enables favorable functional recovery and satisfying improvement of joint activities.