Case Reports: Thumb Reconstruction Using Amputated Fingers

• Published in: Clinical orthopaedics and related research Vol. 466; no. 8; pp. 1996 - 2001
• Main Authors: Hoang, Nguyen T., Staudenmaier, R., Hoehnke, C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer-Verlag 01.08.2008; Springer; Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Ovid Technologies
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Amputation; Biological and medical sciences; Case Reports; Conservative Orthopedics; Diseases of the osteoarticular system; Finger Injuries - surgery; Fingers - transplantation; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Middle Aged; Orthopedics; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures - methods; Replantation - methods; Retrospective Studies; Sports Medicine; Surgery; Surgical Orthopedics; Thumb - injuries; Kirschner Wire; Metacarpal Bone; Proximal Phalanx; Flexor Digitorum Profundus; Hand Function; Case study; Treatment; Surgery; Orthopedics; Thumb; Finger; Anatomical reconstruction
• ISSN: 0009-921X; 1528-1132
• DOI: 10.1007/s11999-008-0227-2

Reconstruction of an irreparably amputated thumb in multiple digit amputations using amputated fingers can considerably improve hand function and allows creation of a newly transplanted thumb with acceptable cosmetic and functional attributes. However, the surgery is challenging and rarely reported. We report six cases using this procedure in patients with crushed thumbs unsuitable for replantation. In four of the patients, the remnant of the index finger was replanted on the thumb stump and in another two patients, an amputated middle finger and ring finger were used. The patients had a minimum followup of 12 months (mean, 18 months; range, 12–45 months). All newly transplanted thumbs survived resulting in the patients having satisfactory postoperative hand function and appearance.