Callus distraction in the hand skeleton.

From 1992 to 1996, 27 patients with traumatic amputations or malformations underwent lengthening of thumb and fingers. A total of 36 procedures were carried out. In several cases, deepening of the web space or bone transplantations proved to be necessary to improve general function or to compensate for missing bone structure. Complications included pin-track infections, necrosis of bone, non-union and scarring. Overall the results indicate that distraction of the thumb and fingers is a feasible operative technique leading to a promising improvement of function.