Reconstruction of the hand with free microneurovascular toe-to-hand transfer: experience with 54 toe transfers.

Over a period of 6 years, 54 toe-to-hand transfers were performed, 24 for thumb and 30 for finger reconstruction. Refinements in evaluation, preparation, and surgical technique are detailed. Forty-nine toes (90.7 percent) survived. Exploration was required for circulatory compromise following 13 transfers (34.2 percent), to good effect in 9 (69.2 percent). Secondary surgery was performed in 26 cases, consisting of tendolysis, osteotomy, and deepening of the first web space. Review was undertaken at an average of 1 year and 9 months after transfer. Power grip averaged 28.5 percent of the normal hand and pinch strength 26.6 percent, great toe transfer giving 35.7 percent and second toe transfer to thumb giving 15.6 percent strength compared with normal. Static two-point discrimination of less than 10 mm was present in 37.5 percent of those studied under 2 years after surgery and in 75 percent of those studied more than 2 years later. The choice of procedure for thumb reconstruction is discussed in detail, as are supplementary skin cover, vascular considerations, and the high exploration rate.