Abstract
Reconstruction with like tissue transferred from the feet is a good alternative to restore function and appearance for severe injuries of the hand. The purpose of the current study is to report the clinical results of free tissue transfer from the feet for severe injuries of the proper digits. Eight male patients aged 18 to 58 years ( mean 42 years ) underwent reconstructive surgery. The number of involved fingers was 8, including 4 severe soft-tissue injuries of the digits, three complete amputations, and one ankylosis of the proximal interphalangeal joint after digital amputation. Two fingers were reconstructed with the use of a hemi-pulp flap, two with a medialis-pedis flap, one with a wrap-around flap, one with an osteo-onychocutaneous flap from the big toe, one with second toe transfer, and one with vascularized proximal interphalangeal joint transfer from the second toe. All flaps survived. At the final follow-up, the mean total active motion was 55 % and the mean grip strength was 61 %, compared with those on the contralateral side. A strong relationship between the waiting period from the injury to reconstructive surgery and return to work after the operation was observed ( R = 0.71, p < 0.05 ). The results of free tissue transfer from the feet for severe injuries of the proper digits were satisfactory. Early reconstruction is preferable for an early return to work.
