[Criteria for the evaluation of results and bone span resorption after thumb reconstruction]

For the evaluation of the results of thumb reconstruction no generally accepted guidelines exist. As a result, the following criteria are suggested: a test of tactile gnosis and a pick-up test (both tests performed without the aid of vision), two-point discrimination, subjective evaluation of the reconstructed thumb and the state of employment of the patient. A classification is proposed based on one or more of these criteria. With the osteoplastic method employing a pedicle flap, bone graft and island pedicle flap, resorption of the bone graft can be a problem. On the basis of the follow-up of nine patients, it was determined that the degree of resorption was inversely proportional to the time between the pedicle flap transfer and the implantation of the bone graft and directly proportional to the time between the bone graft and the transfer of the island pedicle flap. On the basis of these findings, five months are recommended between flap transfer and bone grafting and two months between bone grafting and island pedicle flap transfer.