[The problem of contracture of small hand muscles after mid-hand replantation]

A longterm follow-up of a mid-palm re-attachment in which intrinsic tightness developed is presented. The initial bone shortening in this case was 7 mm. Because in 5 subsequent cases of mid-palm re-attachment with an initial bone shortening of 12-15 mm problems of intrinsic tightness did not occur, it is concluded that in re-attachment at this level the initial bone shortening should be at least 12 mm.