Immediate Distal Digit Reconstruction with Short Vascular Pedicled Partial Toe Transfer

ABSTRACT

We studied the results of the immediate microsurgical reconstruction of the distal digit injury with short vascular pedicled partial toe transfer. Thirteen patients with amputation or crush injury of the distal digit who underwent partial toe transfer at the authors' institute over 8-year period were reviewed. Delay between initial injury and reconstruction ranged from 1 to 9 days. All flaps were harvested on a short vascular pedicle, with anastomoses performed at a proximal interphalangeal joint level on the fingers and metacarpophalangeal joint level on the thumbs. Good to excellent cosmetic and functional results were obtained in all cases, with nearly normal-looking fingertip. The mean static two point discrimination was 10 mm. Immediate reconstruction with short vascular pedicled partial toe transfer is an excellent option for the reconstruction of the compostie defect of the distal digit.