Free and island vascularized joint transfer for proximal interphalangeal reconstruction: a series of 27 cases

Twenty-seven vascularized joints were transferred in 26 patients for proximal interphalangeal joint reconstruction: 7 heterodigital island, 7 homodigital island (distal to proximal interphalangeal), 2 free heterodigital, and 11 free second toe proximal interphalangeal. With a mean follow-up period of 37 months, mean active range of motion of heterodigital island joint was 56 degrees (mean extensor lag, 21 degrees), excepting one failure ending with an arthrodesis. Four complications occurred in the homodigital island joint series: one sepsis, one nail dystrophy, one failed distal arthrodesis, and one bone abutment in flexion. Excluding the sepsis, mean active final range of motion was 52 degrees after a mean follow-up period of 18 months. The two free heterodigital joints had 80 degrees and 65 degrees of motion. The worst results occurred in the free second toe proximal interphalangeal joints transferred, with a mean active range of motion of 33 degrees (mean extension lag 39 degrees). The main advantages of these techniques are a compound tissue transfer, rapid bone healing, good lateral stability, growth potential, and long-term cartilage preservation.