[Total or subtotal amputation of a long finger with destruction of the metacarpophalangeal joint--regaining function by replantation?].

Destruction of the metacarpophalangeal joint represents one of the most unfavourable situations making it extremely difficult to attain useful finger function after replantation. Single fingers damaged in this way may therefore not be replanted. If several long fingers are affected, a slight residual mobility in the metacarpophalangeal joint can be attained by joint reconstruction or prosthesis implantation. If the thumb is destroyed at the same time or is not supplied along with the severed hand, heterotopic replantation of a long finger of which the metacarpophalangeal joint has been destroyed is a way of attaining an adequate thumb length.