Treatment of Nonreplantable Total Thumb Amputation at the CMC Level Using Index Finger Pollicization

Background Pollicization of the index finger is a rarely performed reconstructive option for patients with total thumb amputations with nonsalvageable carpometacarpal (CMC) joint and thenar muscles. Successful pollicization can provide basic grasp and pinch to help patients carry out activities of daily living. We present a retrospective review of 4 patients who underwent index finger pollicization for traumatic total thumb amputations. Methods A retrospective review of 4 cases of pollicization using an injured index finger for traumatic thumb amputation was performed. Patients available for follow-up were contacted for functional assessment. Outcomes including range of motion (ROM), grip strength, key pinch, 2-point discrimination, and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand score were obtained. Functional thenar muscle and the CMC joint were absent in all cases. Injury mechanism was firework in 2 patients and crush in 2 patients. Results The time from injury to pollicization ranged from 8 days to 17 months. Follow-up time ranged from 10 weeks to 3 years. Three patients regularly used the pollicized thumb in activities of daily living such as writing. Tip pinch and lateral pinch along with grip strength were weak in all cases; the best recorded pinch strength was 24% and grip strength was 25% compared with the contralateral hand. The ROM of the pollicized thumb was limited. Conclusions Index finger pollicization following total thumb amputation can be a viable last-resort option for patients. The pollicized digit acts as a sensate post and avoids further morbidity from the traumatized extremity.

Microsurgery Techniques for Patients with Traumatic Thumb Amputation

Introduction. Traumatic amputations of a thumb may happen as a result of severe mechanical injuries with the primary detachment and destruction of tissues, or following deep burns, frostbites or ischemia. In 70 to 80% of cases of disability and the loss of occupational fitness the key causes are traumatic digit and hand amputations. In 50% of cases the loss of ability to work is due to an amputation of a thumb. This makes the issue of thumb reconstruction a priority in surgery of the hand.Materials and methods. This paper presents our experience in the reconstruction of the functional abilities of the hand in 48 patients with traumatic amputations of a thumb. This was performed with the use of reconstructive plastic microsurgery techniques, namely the free transplantation of a second toe onto the hand. All the patients had a thumb stump at the level of the distal part of the metacarpal bone or the proximal part of the proximal phalanx.Results and discussion. A positive outcome was achieved in 45 out of the 48 patients treated. Autograft necrosis occurred in three cases. For these patients the thumb reconstruction was performed with the use of other, less functional methods. The functional condition of the hand manifested an improvement according to the electromyography data obtained at the maximum tonic tension of the thenar eminence muscles, flexor and extensor muscles of the reconstructed digit. In all the cases the hand strength increased by 40 to 90% after the reconstructive surgery; the authors attribute this to the recovery of the key handgrip abilities. According to Doppler ultrasonography data the blood flow velocity and the level of blood filling increased in the hand treated.Conclusion. The reconstruction of functional abilities of the hand with traumatic thumb amputation must be carried out taking into account the available methods of surgical correction and which one of these would be optimal, the evaluation of the patient’s mental status and his or her drive for the fastest possible recovery of the shape and function of the hand. The free autograft of a second toe in place of the lost thumb with microsurgical vascular anastomoses makes it possible to restore most completely the aesthetic and functional abilities of the hand in the shortest possible timeframe.

Three-year (2014-2016) activity report of the Replantation Service for hand amputations in Poland

The paper summarizes 32 months (January 2014 - August 2016) of activity of the Replantation Service for hand amputation in Poland. Over this period a total of 568 cases of total and subtotal amputations as well as other complex injuries to the hand were referred. Of these, 354 referrals (62%) were accepted and 214 (38%) rejected. Among accepted, there were 167 total (47%) and 142 subtotal (40%) amputations; 45 patients (13%) had other severe hand injuries. Vast majority of the patients constituted males aged a mean of 39 years. The most common injury was amputation of several digits in one patient, and thumb amputation - a total of 229 cases (65%), followed by transmetacarpal and wrist amputations - 92 (30%) and forearm/arm amputations - 33 cases (9%). Replantation of amputated extremity was performed in 141 patients (40%), revascularization in 145 (41%) and in 29 (8%) primary repair of the complex injuries. In 27 cases (8%), a coverage of the tissue defects, and in 12 (3%) primary terminalization was performed. Survival rate was of 78% for replantation and revascularization. Comparing to the period 2010-2012, an increase in number of treated patients (of n=64 cases), in number of amputations (of 96 cases) and in number of amputated digits (of 88 cases) were noted. The activity report shows importance of Replantation Service, an informal structure, in saving limbs of severely mutilated patients.

Extended Hueston Flap: New Solution for Primary Closure

Thumb tip injuries are very common in hand trauma, and several flaps are available to restore the defect. One of them is the Hueston flap. It is very simple and quick to harvest, but it could lead to donor site problems. The variant “radial extended” of this flap, proposed in this article, allows a primary closure of donor site avoiding making scar on contact areas subject to frequent use. We performed this technique in a clinical case that presented a distal thumb amputation with good aesthetic result and satisfactory function.

Microsurgical thumb repair and reconstruction

In this article, we review microsurgical reconstructive techniques available to treat thumb amputation at different levels based on our experience. We reference techniques used by other surgeons and identify the most suitable technique for different clinical situations. Indications and techniques for microsurgical partial or composite transfer of the great or second toe for thumb reconstruction are summarized. Different microsurgical transfer techniques suggest a great freedom of surgical choices. However, the choices are considerably restricted if all functional and cosmetic requirements are to be met. We recommend individualized surgical design and reconstruction because each case of thumb amputation is unique.