Microsurgical free toe pulp transfer for digital reconstruction

Posttraumatic fingertip reconstruction with a free toe pulp neurovascular flap, first described in 1979, has not been frequently reported. We present our results with 8 free transfers of the toe pulp and demonstrate the successful restoration of a well-padded and sensitive fingertip. All patients, studied with a follow-up of up to 20 months, recovered a discriminative sensibility of the thumb and main fingers, with a stationary two-point discrimination test between 5 and 12 mm and a moving two-point discrimination test between 4 and 8 mm. In spite of the good results obtained, we believe this procedure must be chosen only in certain circumstances. We present the indications and the contraindications for this digital reconstruction.