The wraparound procedure for thumb and finger reconstruction

Nineteen thumb and finger reconstructions were performed using the wraparound procedure; there were five early arterial failures. Thirteen of the 14 successful digital reconstructions were reviewed at an average of 26 months after surgery. There were complications related to the upper limb in seven patients, several of whom had more than one problem; these included radial skin breakdown (2), malrotation (2), and infection (2). One patient underwent late deletion for chronic infection following corrective osteotomy. Time until toe donor site healing averaged 2 months. We considered that cosmesis and function were good. Pinch grip averaged 48% of normal; sensibility returned in all patients--four regained protective sensation and the others attained two-point discrimination (average 9 mm). The wraparound procedure provides a cosmetically and functionally excellent method of thumb reconstruction for amputation distal to the metacarpophalangeal joint.