Adani Roberto, Marcoccio Ignazio, Tarallo Luigi, Fregni Umberto
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.
Tech Hand Up Extrem Surg. 2005 Mar;9(1):42-6. doi: 10.1097/01.bth.0000151862.54660.96.
In the past 12 years, 16 thumb defects at, or distal to, the interphalangeal joint were reconstructed using a great toe mini wrap-around flap. A flap including the entire nail and most of the distal phalanx of the great toe was used. Fifteen of the grafts survived. The sensory recovery of the reconstructed thumb was good as assessed by 2-point discrimination test with an average of 10 mm (range 5-15), and there were no complaints of cold intolerance. This technique results in good cosmetic appearance, and all patients were pleased with the cosmetic aspect of the thumb and there was no significant morbidity at the great toe donor site. The final decision to reconstruct a distal thumb amputation is influenced by gender, job, and age of the patients. The great toe mini wrap-around flap is an excellent reconstruction technique in selected patients.
