Toe-to-finger transfer for post-traumatic reconstruction of the fingerless hand

To assess the utility of toe-to-finger transfers (TFTs) for post-traumatic reconstruction of the fingerless hand.

A case series.

A regional trauma centre.

Eight men, mean age was 36 years (range from 25-59 yr), who had lost all the fingers from a hand due to a crush-degloving injury (6 patients), frostbite (1 patient) or a burn injury (1 patient).

TFT. Twelve TFTs were cone and the mean time from injury to reconstruction was 17.2 months.

Objective (range of motion, moving 2-point discrimination, grip strength, key pinch, Jebsen-Taylor hand assessment, return to work) and subjective (activities of daily living and a questionnaire) measures.

Eleven of the 12 transfers survived. Six of the 7 in whom the transfer was successful were available for follow-up (mean 45 mo). Range of motion was 10 degrees at the distal interphalangeal joint, 18 degrees at the proximal interphalangeal joint and 59 degrees at the metacarpophalangeal joint. Sensation was protective in all. Grip strength and key pinch were 26.1% and 70.2% of the contralateral hand respectively. Jebsen-Taylor assessment indicated that basic activities were possible but slowed. All 6 patients returned to work and could perform 92.6% of the activities of daily living unassisted. Hand and foot symptoms were mild. Two-thirds were appearance conscious, 5 of the 6 went on to altered vocations and all reported overall satisfaction as high.

This study supports TFT for reconstruction of the fingerless hand in that, although transferred toe function may be poorer than a normal finger, the hand is restored to a useful, sensate and versatile functional unit, such that global hand and patient function, as well as patient satisfaction, are very good.