Gs. Rao et al., ANEURYSMAL BONE-CYSTS IN THE HAND TREATED BY FREE NONVASCULAR TRANSFER OF METATARSAL OR PROXIMAL PHALANX FROM THE FOOT, Journal of hand surgery. British volume, 18(6), 1993, pp. 736-741
Two cases of aneurysmal bone cyst in the hand are reported. In one cas
e the entire first metacarpal was resected and grafted using the fourt
h metatarsal. In the second case diaphysectomy of the middle phalanx o
f the index digit was performed, and the proximal phalanx of the secon
d toe was used as graft. Satisfactory length and function were maintai
ned, the grafts remained viable and there was no donor site morbidity.
Transplant of a metatarsal or toe phalanx to the hand, as a free non-
vascularized graft, is a relatively straight forward operation, requir
es minimal refashioning of the graft, provides articular surfaces for
joint reconstruction and leaves little donor site morbidity.