Reconstruction of the Distal Part of the Thumb after Traumatic Amputation

Restoration of Function and Sensation Using Nerve, Tendon, and Bone from the Amputated Portion

¹ Los Angeles, California

Six cases have been presented to demonstrate a method of thumb reconstruction whereby an amputated or avulsed portion of the thumb may be reconstructed, using the bone, tendons, and nerves from the amputated portion. The amputated bone can be pinned in place with its tendon intact or if the tendon is severed it can be reimplanted in the distal phalanx or attached to the proximal phalanx if the tendon is too short. A nerve trunk with its end organs can be reanastomosed to one of the proximal trunks of the digital nerves. An intact nerve from which the surrounding tissues have been stripped can be transplanted into proximal viable soft tissue for later use or it can be transplanted immediately into a pedicle graft. The reconstructed bones, joints, tendons, and nerves can be covered with an abdominopedicle graft at the same operation.

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