Second Toe-to-Amputated Little Finger Transfer in a Child with More than 29 Years Follow Up

Abstract

　A 10-year-old boy sustained a crush injury to his left little finger one year and 10 months earlier. After initial surgical treatment, secondary reconstruction was performed by transferring the left second toe to the base of the left little finger. The final follow-up period was 29 years and two months. The patient was satisfied with the appearance and function of the transferred second toe. Good results were obtained for pinch and grip strengths. Static two-point discrimination was 5 mm in the transferred toe. The growth of the transferred second toe was retarded compared to the contralateral second toe. There were no gait problems in the donor foot; however, delayed growth and hallux valgus deformity were observed in the donor foot.
　Toe transfer is a functionally and cosmetically useful method for addressing little finger loss in a child. However, toe-to-little finger transfer for social indications should be performed with sufficient informed consent, as social indications may change over time.