Surgical
Procedures
Reconstructive Micro-surgery
Toe-Hand Transfer
The thumb represents at least 40 percent of the function of
the hand. If a thumb is lost secondary to trauma, and cannot
be replanted, utilization of the great toe or second toe will
give the most effective reconstruction. This requires meticulously
taking each component of the toe (skin, bone, tendons, vessels,
nerves) and repositioning them in the thumb position.
Sometimes, more than 1 digit is required; in that situation
several toes may be taken. Surprisingly, loss of the great toe
has little impact on the normalcy of walking. A thumb may be
created with sensation, flexion and extension, and an aesthetically
acceptable result. Dr. Dabb has done this procedure for over
20 years.
This patient lost his hand in an industrial meat grinder. He
now writes, plays guitar and neck-reigns his horse.
