Reconstruction of congenital hand defects with microvascular toe transfers

From 1977 through 1984, the author transferred 49 toes in 38 patients to treat congenital defects of the hand. Eleven patients had successful transfer of two toes from different feet, with a six-month interval between operations. There was one failure in a 16-month-old infant with finger aplasia. On the basis of this experience, the author has refined his indications and timing, which are as precise and well defined as the technique.