Reconstructive surgery of detached extremities, especially fingers, has a long historical tradition. The first clinically correctly documented cases go back to the 19th century. During the first and second world wars numerous reports appeared about the surgical care of war victims. Pioneering innovative surgical methods were developed by especially motivated surgeons for the reconstruction of these disfiguring war injuries in Europe. Because of these particular circumstances and the prevailing revolutionary spirit, many innovations in surgery were developed. The report of Otto Hilgenfeldt (1950) described his unusual approach in reconstructing a finger by using the great toe.