Restoration of sensibility to a thumb by the technique of digital nerve advancement: a new surgical procedure.
A groin flap was used to repair avulsion injuries of the nondominant thumb and index finger in a 13-year-old boy. The patient demonstrated full range of motion in the involved digits but lacked sensibility and a measurable two-point discrimination of the thumb. A two-point discrimination of 3 mm and excellent subjective sensibility were restored by distal advancement of the digital nerves and separation into fascicles across the ulnar aspect of the thumb. A 1 1/2-year follow-up period is recorded.
D000293:Adolescent; D005383:Finger Injuries / Q000601:surgery; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011826:Radial Nerve / Q000601:surgery; D012677:Sensation; D016038:Skin Transplantation; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D013933:Thumb / Q000293:injuries / Q000502:physiology / Q000601:surgery*; D014459:Ulnar Nerve / Q000601:surgery