Perception of transplanted toes following toe-to-finger transplantation

The perception of transplanted toes following toe-to-finger transplantation was investigated. Forty-six (77%) of 60 patients perceived transplanted toes as their fingers immediately or within 6 months after surgery. Such perception occurred following satisfactory surgical outcome, the appearance of adequate sensory or motor function, or both. In the remaining 14 patients, the transplanted toe was perceived as a toe, a toe as well as a finger, or something else. The present data suggest that human perception of transplanted toes appears to be geared toward restoration of the original body image.