Impact of Clostridium difficile Infection Versus Colonization on Postoperative Outcomes After Oncological Colorectal Surgery: An Observational Single-Center Study With Propensity Score Analysis.

BACKGROUND: There is limited research available concerning the risk anastomotic leakage in the context of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI). Herein, we aim to elucidate the correlation between CDI, encompassing both preoperative asymptomatic C. difficile carriers (CDC) and postoperative hospital acquired C. difficile infections (HA-CDI), and the occurrence of anastomotic leakage in patients undergoing oncological colorectal surgery. METHODS: This is an observational, single-center study. Data were sourced from surgical logs between 2018 and 2023, via the hospital's electronic system. Patients were split into three subgroups: CDC, HA-CDI, and control group (CG). Groups were compared in terms of patient characteristics, morbidity, and mortality via Fisher's exact test and Kruskal-Wallis test. One-to-one propensity score matching was performed to reduce selection bias. RESULTS: A total of 522 patients were analyzed, split into three subgroups: CDC, n = 35; HA-CDI, n = 27; CG, n = 460. One-to-one propensity score matching reduced the CG to 62 patients. Patients in the HA-CDI group had higher rates of overall morbidity (p < 0.0001), higher rates of anastomotic leaks (p = 0.002), more surgical site infections (SSI) (p = 0.001), and a longer length of stay (26 vs. 11.2 vs. 9.3 days, p < 0.001), while patients in the CDC group had comparable rates of complications with the CG. CONCLUSION: HA-CDI is associated with a higher risk of anastomotic leak after oncological colorectal surgery, while asymptomatic CDC do not have higher morbidity and may be operated electively, under standard CD treatment.

Frailty Increases Morbidity and Mortality in Patients Undergoing Oncological Liver Resections: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Considered to reflect a patients' biological age, frailty is a new syndrome shown to predict surgical outcomes in elderly patients. In view of the increasing age at which patients are proposed oncological liver surgery and the morbidity associated with it, we attempted to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to compare morbidity and mortality between frail and nonfrail patients after liver resections. METHODS: The study was registered with PROSPERO. A systematic search of PubMed and EMBASE databases was performed for all comparative studies examining surgical outcomes after liver resections between frail and nonfrail patients. RESULTS: Ten studies were included based on the selection criteria with a total of 71,102 patients, split into two groups: frail (n = 17,167) and the control group (n = 53,928). There were more elderly patients with a lower preoperative albumin level in the frail group (p = 0.02, p = 0.001). Frail patients showed higher rates of morbidity with more major complications and a higher incidence of postoperative liver failure (p < 0.001). Mortality (p < 0.001) and readmission rate (p = 0.021) also was higher in frail patients. CONCLUSIONS: Frailty seems to be a solid predictive risk factor of morbidity and mortality after liver surgery and should be considered a selection criterion for liver surgery in at-risk patients.

Upper Limb Compartment Syndrome-An Extremely Rare Life-Threatening Complication of Cutaneous Anthrax.

(1) Background: Cutaneous anthrax is a disease caused by a Gram-positive bacillus, spore-forming Bacillus anthracis (BA). Cutaneous anthrax accounts for 95% of all anthrax cases, with mortality between 10-40% in untreated forms. The most feared complication, which can be life-threatening and is rarely encountered and described in the literature, is compartment syndrome. (2) Methods: We report a series of six cases of cutaneous anthrax from the same endemic area. In two of the cases, the disease was complicated by compartment syndrome. The systematic review was conducted according to systematic review guidelines, and the PubMed, Google Scholar, and Web of Science databases were searched for publications from 1 January 2008 to 31 December 2023. The keywords used were: "cutaneous anthrax" and "compartment syndrome by cutaneous anthrax". (3) Results: For compartment syndrome, emergency surgical intervention for decompression was required, along with another three surgeries, with hospitalization between 21 and 23 days. In the systematic review, among the 37 articles, 29 did not contain cases focusing on compartment syndrome of the thoracic limb in cutaneous anthrax. The results were included in a Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) flow diagram. (4) Conclusions: Early recognition of the characteristic cutaneous lesions and compartment syndrome with early initiation of antibiotics and urgent surgical treatment is the lifesaving solution.

A Histological Evaluation of the Efficiency of Using Periprosthetic Autologous Fat to Prevent Capsular Contracture Compared to Other Known Methods-An Experimental Study.

BACKGROUND: Capsular contracture remains a common complication in silicone breast implantation. The etiology, formation mechanisms, predisposing and favoring factors are still subjects of research. This study aims to demonstrate the effectiveness of using autologous fat introduced periprosthetically in preventing capsular contracture compared to other known methods: antibiotics and corticosteroids. METHODS: A cohort of 80 Wistar rats was included in the study, divided into four subgroups. All subjects received a silicone implant, implanted in a pocket created along the abdominal midline. The first subgroup served as the control group, with subjects having the implant placed without any treatment. For the second and third subgroups, the implants were treated with an antibiotic solution and intramuscular injections of dexamethasone, respectively. The subjects in the last subgroup received centrifuged autologous fat introduced periprosthetically. RESULTS: The subgroup with autologous fat exhibited a significantly smaller capsule thickness, which was poorly represented, with a smooth surface. The use of autologous fat for treating silicone prosthesis was linked with the lack of acute inflammation around the prosthetic site. CONCLUSIONS: Autologous fat helps to minimize the "non-self" reaction, which results in the development of a periprosthetic capsule consisting of mature collagen fibers interspersed with adipocytes.

Splenectomy Does Not Increase Early Morbidity in Patients Undergoing Total Gastrectomy: A Case-Control Study with Propensity Score Analysis.

AIM: In gastric cancer (GC), D2 lymph node dissection is, alongside negative-margins gastrectomy, of paramount importance. There is a debate between Western and Eastern scientific communities concerning the risk-benefit balance with respect to splenectomy, as Western countries are inclined to perform spleen-preserving gastrectomy due to an increased risk for postoperative complications. In Eastern countries (such as Japan) this is not the case. Our study aimed to determine whether or not spleen-sacrificing total gastrectomy for GC was associated with a higher rate of early postoperative morbidity or mortality. METHOD: We performed a retrospective case-control study in which we included patients who underwent total gastrectomy with D2 lymphadenectomy for GC (stages I-III) with curative intent, in a single high-volume tertiary oncologic centre. We divided the cases into two groups: spleenpreserving (SP) and spleen-sacrificing (SS) and evaluated the early complications rate following surgery. Afterwards, we performed propensity score matching (PSM) and analysis of the two groups. Results: We included 74 patients, 29 in the SS group and 45 in the SP group. Fifteen cases (20.2%) developed early postoperative complications and the complication rate was 53% (n=8) in the SS group and 46% (n=7) in the SP group. The overall 30-day mortality rate was 2.7%. Conclusions: Splenectomy is not associated with increased early morbidity following total gastrectomy with D2 lymphadenectomy if performed by an experienced surgeon.

Periorbital Facial Necrotizing Fasciitis in Adults: A Rare Severe Disease with Complex Diagnosis and Surgical Treatment-A New Case Report and Systematic Review.

(1) Background: Necrotizing fasciitis (NF) is a severe and aggressive pathology with a rapid progression and high mortality risk. Periocular NF is a rare condition associated with a lower mortality risk but significantly higher disabling sequelae. (2) Methods: We present the case of a 67-year-old homeless patient, a victim of assault, with multiple untreated comorbidities (diabetes mellitus, cardiac conditions, and schizophrenia) and a delayed diagnosis of periocular necrotizing fasciitis. The condition showed a cyclical evolution influenced by the existing comorbidities, and the patient underwent both surgical and medical treatment with a multidisciplinary team. Additionally, we report a systematic review of cases from the literature. (3) Results: The patient's survival outcomes were favorable; however, the sequelae were disabling, not only concerning aesthetic aspects but also due to the loss of the affected eye globe. The systematic review revealed the rarity of such cases and the peculiarities of the presented case compared to those reported in the literature up to this point. (4) Conclusions: Understanding the signs, symptoms, and predisposing factors, as well as the potential rare localizations of NF, including the periocular region, can lead to the early diagnosis and treatment with good functional and aesthetic outcomes, minimizing significant disabilities.

Evaluation of Changes in Circulating Cell-Free DNA as an Early Predictor of Response to Chemoradiation in Rectal Cancer-A Pilot Study.

Background and Objectives: The objective of this study was to investigate quantitative changes in cell-free DNA (cfDNA) found in the bloodstream of patients with locally advanced rectal cancer who received neoadjuvant long-course chemoradiation, assuming a change in DNA fragments release during therapeutic stress. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective observational study that involved 49 patients who had three distinct pathologies requiring neoadjuvant chemoradiation: 18 patients with breast cancer, 18 patients with cervical cancer, and 13 patients with rectal cancer. Both breast cancer and cervical cancer patients were used as a control groups. Breast cancer patients were used as a control group as irradiation targeted healthy tissue after the tumor resection (R0), while cervical cancer patients were used as a control group to evaluate the effect of chemoradiation regarding cfDNA in a different setting (squamous cell carcinomas) and a different tumor burden. Rectal cancer patients were the study group, and were prospectively evaluated for a correlation between fragmentation of cfDNA and late response to chemoradiation. Blood samples were collected before the initiation of treatment and after the fifth radiation dose delivery. cfDNA was quantified in peripheral blood and compared with the patients' clinicopathological characteristics and tumor volume. Conclusion: Thirteen patients with locally advanced rectal cancer (T3/T4/N+/M0) were included in the study, and all of them had their samples analyzed. Eight were male (61.54%) and five were female (38.46%), with an average age of 70.85 years. Most of the patients had cT3 (53.85%) or cT4 (46.15%) tumors, and 92.31% had positive lymph nodes (N2-3). Of the thirteen patients, only six underwent surgery, and one of them achieved a pathological complete response (pCR). The mean size of the tumor was 122.60 mm3 [35.33-662.60 mm3]. No significant correlation was found between cfDNA, tumor volume, and tumor regression grade. cfDNA does not seem to predict response to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and it is not correlated to tumor volume or tumor regression grade.

Predictive and Prognostic Role of Neutrophil to Lymphocyte Ratio in Rectal Cancer: A Case Control Study with Propensity Score Analysis.

Background: Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is promoted as a marker reflecting the antitumoral inflammatory response. Herein, we aim to assess whether NLR at the time of diagnosis can predict response to neoadjuvant therapy and long-term survival in a matched cohort of rectal cancer patients. Methods: This is a case control study on rectal cancer patients who underwent standard oncological treatment and had NLR sampled at each stage. ROC curve was used to establish the cut off value of NLR at diagnosis. Two groups (high and low NLR) were compared. Kaplan Meier overall and disease-free survival (DFS) analysis was done comparatively between two groups of patients: low and high NLR. Pearson and Log Rank tests were used to establish statistical significance. Propensity score matching (PSM) was performed, and all variables were compared again on the matched subgroups. Results: One hundred patients were included and 54 were compared again after PSM. NLR at diagnosis did not correlate with tumor regression grade (p=0.77). High NLR at diagnosis (NLR 2.58) was not found to be significantly associated with worse overall survival (p=0.096) or DFS (p=0.128). Similar results were achieved after PSM, except when stage III subgroups were compared, where higher NLR was associated with worse DFS (p=0.04), while results for OS were borderline (p=0.05). Conclusions: Overall, a pretherapeutic high NLR ( 2.58) was not found to predict survival or response do neoadjuvant therapy in patients with rectal cancer. However, a higher NLR may be associated with worse outcomes in advanced colorectal cancer.

Laparoscopic versus open resection of primary colorectal cancers and synchronous liver metastasis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: Combined resection of primary colorectal cancer and associated liver metastases is increasingly common. This study compares peri-operative and oncological outcomes according to surgical approach. METHODS: The study was registered with PROSPERO. A systematic search was performed for all comparative studies describing outcomes in patients that underwent laparoscopic versus open simultaneous resection of colorectal primary tumours and liver metastases. Data was extracted and analysed using a random effects model via Rev Man 5.3 RESULTS: Twenty studies were included with a total of 2168 patients. A laparoscopic approach was performed in 620 patients and an open approach in 872. There was no difference in the groups for BMI (mean difference: 0.04, 95% CI: 0.63-0.70, p = 0.91), number of difficult liver segments (mean difference: 0.64, 95% CI:0.33-1.23, p = 0.18) or major liver resections (mean difference: 0.96, 95% CI: 0.69-1.35, p = 0.83). There were fewer liver lesions per operation in the laparoscopic group (mean difference 0.46, 95% CI: 0.13-0.79, p = 0.007). Laparoscopic surgery was associated with shorter length of stay (p < 0.00001) and less overall postoperative complications (p = 0.0002). There were similar R0 resection rates (p = 0.15) but less disease recurrence in the laparoscopic group (mean difference: 0.57, 95% CI:0.44-0.75, p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Synchronous laparoscopic resection of primary colorectal cancers and liver metastases is a feasible approach in selected patients and does not demonstrate inferior peri-operative or oncological outcomes.

Rare Benign Tumors and Tumor-like Lesions of the Hand without Skin Damage-Clinical, Imagistic and Histopathological Diagnosis, Retrospective Study.

BACKGROUND: The broad spectrum of diagnoses and clinical features of hand tumors and the absence of pathognomonic signs often lead to an inaccurate or delayed diagnosis. However, only a few reports have comprehensively referenced the diagnosis and clinical features of hand tumors. This study intends to highlight the clinical, imaging and histological characteristics of uncommon hand tumors or tumor-like lesions. METHODS: In this retrospective study, we report a series of 80 patients diagnosed with rare hand tumors and tumor-like lesions without skin damage. Age, gender, tumor location, imaging examinations and clinical and laboratory findings were analyzed. The histopathological exam established the final diagnosis. Surgery was indicated and performed in all cases. RESULTS: This study included: neurofibroma, glomus tumor, lipoma, schwannoma, epidermal inclusion cyst and idiopathic tenosynovitis with "rice bodies." We have described the clinical, imagistic and histopathological particularities of these tumors. Surgical management included the complete removal of tumors, with no recurrence recorded within two years and overall high patient satisfaction. The most common findings were lipomas and the rarest neurofibromas. CONCLUSIONS: To optimize the care of hand tumors and reduce diagnostic and treatment errors, knowledge of hand tumor types and their clinical and laboratory characteristics is necessary for every surgeon.

Conservative surgery versus colorectal resection for endometriosis with rectal involvement: a systematic review and meta-analysis of surgical and long-term outcomes.

PURPOSE: The optimal surgical approach for removal of colorectal endometrial deposits is unclear. Shaving and discoid excision of colorectal deposits allow organ preservation but risk recurrence with associated functional issues and re-operation. Formal resection risks potential higher complications but may be associated with lower recurrence rates. This meta-analysis compares peri-operative and long-term outcomes between conservative surgery (shaving and disc excision) versus formal colorectal resection. METHODS: The study was registered with PROSPERO. A systematic search was performed on PubMed and EMBASE databases. All comparative studies examining surgical outcomes in patients that underwent conservative surgery versus colorectal resection for rectal endometrial deposits were included. The two main groups (conservative versus resection) were compared in three main blocks of variables including group comparability, operative outcomes and long-term outcomes. RESULTS: Seventeen studies including 2861 patients were analysed with patients subdivided by procedure: colorectal resection (n = 1389), shaving (n = 703) and discoid excision (n = 742). When formal colorectal resection was compared to conservative surgery there was lower risk of recurrence (p = 0.002), comparable functional outcomes (minor LARS, p = 0.30, major LARS, p = 0.54), similar rates of postoperative leaks (p = 0.22), pelvic abscesses (p = 0.18) and rectovaginal fistula (p = 0.92). On subgroup analysis, shaving had the highest recurrence rate (p = 0.0007), however a lower rate of stoma formation (p < 0.00001) and rectal stenosis (p = 0.01). Discoid excision and formal resection were comparable. CONCLUSION: Colorectal resection has a significantly lower recurrence rate compared to shaving. There is no difference in complications or functional outcomes between discoid excision and formal resection and both have similar recurrence rates.

The mesocolic apical fragment in complete mesocolic excision colectomies: Should it be analysed separately? A proof-of-concept study.

AIM: The aim of this work is to describe a protocol and assess the feasibility of harvesting and analysing the mesocolic apical fragment (MAF) for the presence of central lymph node (LN) metastasis and extra lymphatic free tumour cells in a random subgroup extracted from a cohort of complete mesocolic excision colectomies with central vascular ligation. METHOD: Forty-seven patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer were included. A 2/2 cm pyramid of tissue was cut around the central tie and sent for pathological examination. The MAF was sectioned into 16 slices. High-definition images were taken from the slices which were merged into a panoramic three-dimensional image of the MAF. The distribution of LNs in the MAF was quantified. Immunohistochemistry staining for cytokeratin 14 was used to identify isolated tumour cells and micrometastases in the extranodal tissue. RESULTS: No tumoural cells migrating through the apical zone, outside of the LNs, were identified. Margins of resection, mesocolic tissue and LNs were all negative in the subgroup of ultrastaged MAFs. The number of examined central LNs varied between 0 and 24, with positive MAF LNs being identified only in pN2 stages. The rate of positive apical LNs in our cohort was 4.2% (n = 2). CONCLUSIONS: The MAF can be easily extracted from standard specimens, allowing for accurate analysis of lymphatic and extra-nodal tumour cells on the central resection margins, in central LNs and in the apical mesocolic tissue. Future research on larger cohorts is required to establish if analysing the MAF has an impact on patient staging, prognosis and management.

Atypical Sites of the Lipoma on the Hand and Fingers: Clinical and Imaging Features and Surgical Outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Lipomas are the most frequent benign soft tissue tumor that are rarely found in the hand and are exceptionally rare on the fingers. The aim of this study was to investigate lipomas of atypical locations, so that they can be taken into account when making a differential diagnosis of a tumor of the hand or fingers. METHODS: We studied a group of 27 patients diagnosed with lipoma of the wrist, palm, and fingers. The diagnosis was made by clinical and imaging examinations. Surgical treatment was established based on symptoms of pain, paresthesias, functional impairment, or aesthetic concerns. Treatment outcomes were assessed clinically at 1.5 years post-intervention. RESULTS: Sizes over 5 cm were recorded in five cases, with the largest lipoma being 8 by 5 by 3.5 cm in size and weighing 125 g, located in the palm. There was one case of spontaneous tendon rupture and one case of carpal tunnel syndrome. There was no recurrence recorded at 1.5-year follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Lipomas in the palm and fingers are rare entities (with more men affected), and surgical treatment consists of complete removal of the tumor and providing definitive healing. Despite their rarity, clinicians should consider lipomas when making differential diagnoses of soft tissue tumors of the hand.

Schwannoma of the Upper Limb: Retrospective Study of a Rare Tumor with Uncommon Locations.

BACKGROUND: Although schwannoma (neurilemmoma) is the most common tumor of the peripheral nerve, its low incidence, slow growth and vague symptoms often lead to misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis. The aim of the study is to present a series with a large number of schwannomas in the upper limbs, some with very rare occurrence. METHODS: We report 17 patients with a mean age of 58.5 years and upper limb schwannomas, located on the median, ulnar and radial nerves, but also on the posterior interosseous nerve and digital collateral nerves. The diagnosis was made by clinical examination and imaging tests, and in no case was a preoperative biopsy performed. Surgical treatment was established based on symptoms or aesthetic concerns. In all cases, a diagnosis of schwannoma was confirmed through histopathological and immunohistochemical examinations. RESULTS: For all patients, a complete tumor enucleation was performed under a surgical microscope. No recurrence was recorded at 2 years after surgery. Patient satisfaction was good, with complete socio-professional integration in all cases. CONCLUSIONS: Although more frequently present on the main nerve trunks, schwannoma may be present on the collateral digital nerves in rare cases. A correct technique with complete tumor excision offers excellent postoperative outcomes and avoids recurrences.

Postoperative Quality Assessment Score Can Select Patients with High Risk for Locoregional Recurrence in Colon Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Monitoring surgical quality has been shown to reduce locoregional recurrence (LRR). We previously showed that the arterial stump length (ASL) after complete mesocolic excision (CME) is a reproducible quality instrument and correlates with the lymph-node (LN) yield. We hypothesized that generating an LRR prediction score by integrating the ASL would predict the risk of LRR after suboptimal surgery. METHODS: 502 patients with curative resections for stage I-III colon cancer were divided in two groups (CME vs. non-CME) and compared in terms of surgical data, ASL-derived parameters, pathological parameters, LRR and LRR-free survival. A prediction score was generated to stratify patients at high risk for LRR. RESULTS: The ASL showed significantly higher values (50.77 mm ± 28.5 mm) with LRR vs. (45.59 mm ± 28.1 mm) without LRR (p < 0.001). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed a significant increase in LRR-free survival at 5.58 years when CME was performed (Group A: 81%), in contrast to non-CME surgery (Group B: 67.2%). CONCLUSIONS: The prediction score placed 76.6% of patients with LRR in the high-risk category, with a strong predictive value. Patients with long vascular stumps and positive nodes could benefit from second surgery to complete the mesocolic excision.

Impact of Quilting Sutures on Surgical Outcomes After Mastectomy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Seroma after mastectomy and/or axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) is among the most common issue surgeons have to face in the early postoperative management of breast cancer. Using quilting sutures (QS) to aid in tissue approximation and decrease dead space is proposed as a simple technique to reduce seroma rate. We aimed to perform a systematic review, and analyse, in a meta-analytical model, the role of QS in improving wound outcomes and decrease volume, duration of drainage, and length of stay in hospital. METHODS: The study was registered with PROSPERO. A systematic search of the PubMed, EMBASE, and SCOPUS databases was performed for all comparative studies examining surgical outcomes in patients who underwent QS versus conventional closure (CC) after mastectomy ± ALND. RESULTS: Twenty-one studies with a total of 3473 patients (1736 in the study group and 1737 in the control group) were included based on the selection criteria. The study group showed significantly lower rates of seroma (p < 0.00001), total volume of drainage (p < 0.0001), days to drain removal (p < 0.00001), and length of stay (p < 0.00001) compared with the control group, while wound complication rates (surgical site infection, flap necrosis, hematoma, skin dimpling) were comparable between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: QS are a reliable intraoperative technique that decrease seroma formation, volume of postoperative drainage, duration of drainage and length of hospital stay, and should be considered in mastectomies with or without ALND.

Clinical, histopathological and immunohistochemical features of glomus tumor of the nail bed.

PURPOSE: Glomus tumors account for 1-4% of benign hand tumors. In 65% of cases, it is located in the nail bed. Its rarity makes misdiagnosis problems relatively common. Symptomatology is characterized by the hallmark symptomatic triad. Imaging investigations may guide the diagnosis, but the diagnosis is made by pathological examination doubled by immunohistochemical (IHC) markers. PATIENTS, MATERIALS AND METHODS: We studied a group of seven female patients, aged 28 to 56 years. Clinical examination revealed the presence of the characteristic symptomatic triad. Ultrasound imaging tests were performed. RESULTS: Anatomopathological examination made a diagnosis of glomus tumor in all seven cases. IHC staining showed that tumor cells were positive for alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and h-caldesmon in all seven cases and negative for cluster of differentiation 34 (CD34) in 72.14%. IHC stainings for p63, S100, cytokeratin (CK) AE1∕AE3 were negative in all cases. The clinical diagnosis completed by ultrasonography was histopathologically confirmed in all cases. CONCLUSIONS: Although the glomus tumor is a rare lesion, we need to be familiar with it because a diagnostic delay also implies a treatment delay which will lead to amplified suffering and even real disability due to the high-intensity pain in these cases.

Utility of "reposition-flap" in the reconstruction of the avulsed thumb.

ABSTRACT: Injuries that result in thumb amputation cause a loss of 50% of hand function. Microsurgical replantation remains the gold standard of thumb reconstruction techniques. The non-microsurgical technical variants of thumb reconstruction described so far aim to create a neo-thumb of adequate length, stable, opposable, sensitive, and last but not least esthetically pleasing appearance. Avulsion of the distal phalanx and the absence of the nail will determine a functional deficit but also an unesthetic appearance. When replantation is not possible or the patient refuses to "sacrifice" another anatomical region for thumb reconstruction, the "reposition-flap" technique can be used. Although often controversial, this surgical technique deserves proper attention and should be used in some cases. We studied a group of 32 patients with distal thumb amputations. In patients with amputations in zone II according to Tamai, with interphalangeal joint preservation, the thumb was reconstructed using "reposition-flap" with an O'Brien flap in 15 cases. In the remaining 17 cases where the amputation was at the level of the interphalangeal joint, we used the same technique, but the thumb neopulp was reconstructed with the Littler heterodigital neurovascular flap harvested from the ulnar border of the middle finger in 11 cases or radial border of the ring finger in 6 cases. The results were evaluated from a functional (Kapandji score), sensitive (2-point discrimination, Semmes-Weinstein test) but also esthetically (patient satisfaction) point of view. Donor site morbidity, cold intolerance, the presence of nail dystrophy, and bone resorbtion were also assessed. The disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand score was evaluated for each patient. Although various surgical and microsurgical techniques for thumb reconstruction are described, when choosing the technique to use we must first consider patient's wishes. A well-informed patient will be able to make, with the surgeon, the best decision for him concerning the reconstruction option.