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Crush avulsion injuries to the hand with concomitant traumatic amputation of multiple digits can be a devastating injury to the patient. These injuries have multiple issues occurring under emergency conditions. When feasible, replantation of the multiple digits is optimal, but in many cases, it is not possible. Because of the crushing force on the digits, they are not viable candidates for replantation. The usual course of treatment for these patients is a two stage procedure, usually involving a groin flap. Here, we present the case of a patient who had a left hand skin avulsion of the whole palm and P1 of index, long, ring and small fingers. The left index finger had a complete amputation at the P2 level, the long, ring and small fingers all had complete amputations at the P1 level. This injury was dealt with by a left foot second and third toe transplant, a sensory free flap from the left big toe and a fourth toe microvascular free transfer to the left hand. The remainder of the defect was managed with a 10 × 14 cm reversed radial forearm flap and a combination of full and split thickness skin grafts. The procedure was performed in a single operation, obviating the need for a second surgery. This procedure optimized the patient's outcome during a single setting, making it an ideal choice in an emergency setting., (Copyright © 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc.)

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to retrospectively review the results of 87 toe-to-hand transfers performed in 73 procedures, compare them to the report published by the senior author in 1983, and confirm the hypothesis that results of toe-to-hand transfers at our center have improved over time., Methods: The results of 87 toe-to-hand transfers performed between 1981 and 2001 were reviewed and compared with the results of 54 toe-to-hand transfers performed between 1974 and 1980. The measured parameters were type of reconstruction performed, anticoagulation therapy, vascular patency, frequency of secondary surgery, and strength of thumb reconstructions., Results: In the recent time period, 11% of the procedures had complications with revascularization of the transferred digit, and long-term survival was seen in 98% of the toe-to-hand transfers. This is a significant improvement over earlier results, in which 33% of the cases had some microvascular compromise and the survival of grafts was lower (91%). Pinch strength for thumb reconstructions improved, and the number of secondary surgeries performed dropped, but neither of these parameters reached a significant level. Toes used for reconstruction changed, with an 18% decrease in use of big toe for thumb reconstruction and a similar increase in use of the second toe. For non-thumb digital reconstructions there was a 60% decrease in use of second and third toe combined, whereas use of the second toe alone increased similarly., Conclusions: This study showed reduction of the incidence of vascular compromise compared to the previous report. Improved strength of thumb reconstructions and reduced need for secondary surgery was also displayed. These findings are likely attributed to refinements in reconstructive procedures and operative techniques., Type of Study/level of Evidence: Therapeutic IV., (Copyright © 2011 American Society for Surgery of the Hand. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The purpose of this study is to describe the harvesting technique, anatomic variations, and clinical applications of a compound flap from the great toe and vascularized joint from the second toe used for thumb reconstruction. Five fresh cadaver dissections were studied, focusing attention on the dorsal or plantar vascular dominance, position of the communicating branch between the dorsal and plantar system, the Gilbert classification, and the size of the first dorsal metatarsal artery (FDMA) and first plantar metatarsal artery (FPMA) to the great toe and second toe. Five compound flaps were performed on five patients with traumatic thumb amputation at the level of proximal metacarpal bone. The patients' ages ranged from 14 to 47. Follow-up period was 11-24 months. The anatomic study showed that FPMA had larger caliber in 40% of dissections, FDMA in 40%, and had the same caliber in 20%. The Gilbert classification of FDMA was 40% class I and 60% class III. In the clinical applications, four patients achieved good functional opposition and motion of transferred joints with good pinch and grip strength. There was one flap failure, and donor-site morbidity was minimal. The compound flap offers advantages over traditional toe transfer by providing two functional joints. It can be used for amputation of the thumb at carpometacarpal joint level. Finally, the compound flap maintains growth potential in children through transfer of vascularized epiphyses. The disadvantages of this compound flap include a technically challenging harvest and a longer operative time., ((c) 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.)

The medial longitudinal arch of the foot plays a major role for a physiologic transfer of the load from the heel to the forefoot during walking and running. Traumatic amputation that involve either the great toe or the whole first metatarsal bone can lead to collapse of the medial longitudinal arch, overload of the metatarsal heads, and painful callus formation. If replant of the amputated part is not possible or has failed, it is advisable to reconstruct the medial longitudinal arch in order to re-establish a functional transfer of the load in the foot. We present a case of a young lady who suffered from traumatic amputation at the distal third of the first metatarsal. Replantation failed due to the severity of the initial injury. Despite a good coverage of the defect with a lateral arm flap, the patient developed a painful plantar callus underneath the amputated stump. The adjacent second metatarsal ray was then raised as a pedicled flap including bone and soft tissues and transferred to the first ray in order to reconstruct a physiologic medial longitudinal arch. The patient had excellent functional results with no recurrence of the callus., ((c) 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.)