An Alternative Thumb Reconstruction by Double Microsurgical Transfer From the Great and Second Toe for a Carpometacarpal Amputation

Thumb amputation at the carpometacarpal level is very incapacitating. Pollicization may be considered. We describe an alternate technique for thumb reconstruction at the level of the metacarpal base using a trimmed great toe along with a vascularized second metatarsophalangeal joint, including the second metatarsal, all supplied on a single vascular pedicle. Two patients who had a combined soft tissue defect and amputation of the thumb close to the carpometacarpal joint were reconstructed with this method. A transposition of the second toe was performed on top of the remaining proximal phalanx of the great toe to decrease donor site morbidity. This technique provides adequate length to the thumb without compromising another finger by creating a new thumb using a double microsurgical toe transfer on a single vascular pedicle. We minimize donor site morbidity by transposing the second toe onto the great toe.