Thumb reconstruction through metacarpal bone lengthening

The experience with thumb reconstruction through metacarpal bone lengthening in 35 patients treated over a period of 12 years is presented. In 25 cases a spontaneous consolidation of the gap between the distracted fragments occurred, whereas in the remaining 10 the gap was bridged by a bone graft. The elongation of the metacarpal achieved varied from 2 to 4 cm. Examination of patients followed from 4 to 8 years after the treatment shows a good appearance of the reconstructed thumb without osteolysis or other trophic changes in the distal end. The quality of the skin sensibility in the amputation stump is preserved after the lengthening.