Repair and reconstruction of the thumb in infancy / 解放军医学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To study the characteristics of toe-to-thumb transplantation in a group of infants who completely lacked the thumb.The mean age was 24.6 months,and the youngest was 10 months old,The operative technique and rehabilitation were studied.Methods In two infants with Ⅲ-Ⅳ? defects of the thumb together with multiple injuries of fingers,the wounds were debrided and toe-to-thumb transplantation was done later.In case 3 Ⅲ? defect of the thumb together with palm injury,one-stage toe-to-thumb transplantation and the palm injury was covered with an abdominal flap were done at the same time.Considering the characteristic physiological structure of a dorsalis pedis and the first metatarsal arteries.In the infant,minimally invasive operation under 10? microscope was employed.A series of early functional exercises was given for the reconstructed thumbs.Results The reconstructed thumbs completely survived,hand function was recovered 3-6 months after the operation.With follow-up for longer than 2 years in 2 cases,it was noted that the reconstructed thumb grew consistent with the wounded hand.The appearance and function thumb were satisfactory.Conclusion Toe to thumb transference was successful in infancy,with the combined technique of minimally invasive and plastic surgery.Reconstruction of the thumbs can be completed in two stages on immediately after injury.The appearance and function can be restored.[