Microvascular free on-top plasty in multidigital amputations

SummaryBidigital amputations proximal to the PIP joints severely impair function and cosmesis of the hand. The author presents a clinical series of five patients in which a three-fingered hand was reconstructed through microvascular transfer of one of the stumps on top of the other. Five male patients with amputation of two fingers proximal to the PIP joint were treated surgically. One of the stumps was transferred as a local free composite flap on top of the other stump. All five transfers were successful. The mean operative time was 2 h 15 min. The subjective improvement on hand function and cosmesis, as evaluated by the patients, was positive. Free microvascular on-top plasty is a straightforward and reliable procedure for improving cosmesis and function in hands with two fingers amputated proximal to the PIP joint, without additional donor morbidity outside the already injured hand.