MICROSURGICAL THUMB RECONSTRUCTION WITH TOE TRANSFER - SELECTION OF VARIOUS TECHNIQUES

Microsurgical toe transfer is an established method for reconstruction of missing thumbs. However, there is little agreement on which of the various techniques represents the ideal transfer. Basically, selectio n of technique requires balancing the patient's functional needs, appe arance of the reconstructed thumb, and donor-site cosmesis. Based on o ur experience with 103 toe-to-thumb transfers performed over the past 9 years, this paper attempts to provide guidelines for appropriate sel ection among the four most commonly employed toe transfer techniques ( e.g., second toe, total great toe, great toe wrap-around, trimmed grea t toe) so that optimal results and patient's acceptance can both be ac hieved.