Total Middle Ray Amputation

Abstract

Eight patients underwent middle ray amputation with excision of the whole of the middle metacarpal and careful soft tissue repair. Excision of the base of the middle metacarpal allowed easier approximation of the index and ring rays without the tendency of these fingers to either scissor on finger flexion or to remain slightly apart. Complete removal of the middle metacarpal appears to allow the bases of the index and ring metacarpals to migrate together. The removal of the metacarpal base caused no functional problems and the technique created a good three-finger hand from both a functional and cosmetic point of view.