Free Toe Pulp Transfer in Thumb Reconstruction

Abstract

We report a detailed evaluation of 13 patients who have undergone free toe pulp transfer in thumb reconstruction at the West of Scotland Regional Plastic Surgery Unit. Using the lateral aspect of the great toe pulp, the average time for transfer was 7.5 hours and the average moving 2 P.D. achieved in the thumb reconstructions was 9.6 mm. Morbidity in the donor toe was minimal, but pain and hypersensitivity limited the usefulness of some reconstructed thumbs and cold intolerance was frequent (73%).