title: Reconstruction of fingertip amputations by partial composite toe transfer with short vascular pedicle.
abstract: Five patients under 15 years-of-age, with a fingertip amputation through the nail plate, were treated with a custom-made partial toe transfer. Two of the patients had had previous attempts at surgical reconstruction using either a local flap or replantation. Delay between initial injury and reconstruction ranged from 2 to 60 days. In all cases the flap was harvested from the second toe. This "custom-made" compound transfer included the exact amount of pulp, nail bed and bone required for reconstruction. All flaps were harvested on a short vascular pedicle, with anastomoses performed at a digital level on the recipient site. Good to excellent cosmetic results were obtained in all cases, with a nearly normal-looking fingertip. Duration of hospital stay ranged from 4 to 7 days. We recommend this technique for treatment of distal amputation close to the proximal nail fold, in young individuals.
authors.affiliation: Service SOS Mains, Hôpital d'Enfants, CHU Brabois, Nancy, France.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Dautel
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Corcella
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Merle
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000673:Amputation, Traumatic / Q000601:surgery*; D002648:Child; D005383:Finger Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D014034:Toes / Q000637:transplantation*