[Thumb and finger reconstruction by anastomosing the digital arteries of the toe to finger transplant].

In a series of 295 cases of toe-to-finger reconstruction, 30 cases with 40 digits were reconstructed by arterial anastomosis between digital arteries of the toe transplant and the recipient thumb or fingertoe. Among them 5 thumbs were reconstructed by the distal segment of the big toe. 11 thumbs (10 cases), 15 fingers (8 cases) and 1 case with concomitant thumb and 3 fingers were reconstructed by toe transfer. Six cases of thumb pulp defect were also reconstructed by the big toe pulp transfer. The anastomosis of digital arteries instead of dorsalis pedis artery and radial artery and saphenous vein with cephali vein to re-establish circulation is an innovation and has the advantages of simplifying the operative procedure, minimizing operative trauma, reducing operation time, attenuating patients suffering, and obtaining good appearance and function after reconstruction. Besides the operation would not be hindered by anatomical variations of the artery and would reduce blood supply disturbance of the donor foot.