[Free toe transplantation in congenital hand defects]

From 1983 to 1990, 30 free toe transplantations were performed in 30 children suffering from congenital malformations of the hand. Especially the two severe forms of symbrachydactylia presented major indications. In addition to toe transplantation onto the ulnar ray, lengthening of the radial ray was frequently necessary. Whereas 25 transplantations were successful, there were one necrosis and four partial necroses of the toe. In the monodactylous form, all 15 children with successful transplantation showed good and very good functional results. Children suffering from the peromelic form could gain a grip function which could not have been achieved by prosthetic supply alone. The basal joint of the thumb is of major importance since most of the mobility of the two fingers is achieved in this joint. This is true even if the thumb has to be surgically formed. If there is no carpometacarpal joint, a toe transplantation should not be performed since the mobility in the toe joints would be severely limited.