Digital Reconstruction with Toe Transfer

Toe transplantation is a reliable and effective means of reconstruction for patients who havelost fingers or thumbs. Hand function is restored to a high degree because of the anatomic sinlilarities between the fingers and the toes. We have transplanted 11 great toes to the thumbsand 6 toes to the fingrs in 16 patients. There were no failures but exploration was performed in one patient due to arterial insufficiency.

The sensory recovery was excellent within 15mm of two point discrimination and range of motion was also sufficient enough, and in most case it was aesthetically acceptible. Fortunately the transplant is accomplished with relatively minimal donor site problems.