Free Toe-to-Thumb Transplantation with Microsurgical Technique / 대한정형외과학회잡지

ABSTRACT

Although procedures to reproduce the lost thumb through osteoplastic reconstruction and adjacent finger transfer operations appeared reasonably successful in providing for better prehension, nonetheless the methods lacked predictabiiity and too often the results were unacceptable esthetically. In recent years the development of microsurgery and surgical experiences has made it possible to free one stage transplantation of toe to replace missing thumb. Based on our past experiences with limb replantation since 1975, we accomplished the first toe to thumb transplantation done in Korea on October 28, 1978. Therafter we succeeded in one stage toe-to-thumb transplanatation in five cases. The shortest follow up period was thirteen months, and the longest, twenty-three months. One cases was excluded in this report due to short follow up period. Excellent results were achieved in all cases. There were no limping or pain while walking after removal of great toes or second toe. Great toe transplantation is more favorable donor area than second toe in toe-to-thumb transplantation. Free toe-to-thumb transplantation on making a thumb in missing thumb is the most excellent method of thumb reconstruction, but skillful technique and specialized microsurgical training is mandatory.