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Updated: Oct 2, 2026

Vascularized Composite Hand Allograft Procurement and Preparation for Distal and Proximal Forearm Allotransplantation: A Stepwise Approach
Published on: May 23, 2025
[Island bone graft from the second metacarpal to the first metacarpal]
1Unité de chirurgie de la main et du membre supérieur, clinique La Francilienne, 16, avenue de l'Hôtel de Ville, 77340 Pontault-Combault, France. pvoche@libertysurf.fr
Abstract:
We report a case of reconstruction of the first metacarpal by using an extended vascularized bone graft taken from the distal part of the second metacarpal. Following a gunshot injury, a 57 year-old man presented with a thumb amputated at the interphalangeal joint level and an index finger amputated at the metacarpophalangeal joint level. After lengthening of the first metacarpal over a six weeks period, the bone gap was filled using a vascularized 2.4 cm-length piece of the second metacarpal. This graft was vascularized by the dorsal vascular network of the first web space. At two months, the bone fixation was removed. At five months, the bony integration was complete.
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