title: Microsurgical reconstruction of the hypoplastic thumb, type IIIB.
abstract: If a classically hypoplastic thumb, type IIIA, presenting with a first carpometacarpal joint, is amenable to reconstruction, a type IIIB case without the basal joint, is classically treated by pollicization. The authors concur with this opinion, but found two circumstances in which reconstruction is an option in a type IIIB thumb, either when an adolescent asks for improvement of an unstable but utilized thumb, or when a parent definitely refuses pollicization. In such cases, a free, vascularized metatarsophalangeal joint is the first step of the reconstruction, followed by classic non-microsurgical steps. The authors reviewed five cases, with a mean follow-up of 7.8 years. Hypoplasia of the reconstructed thumb, and a limited pinch, allow this option only with restricted indications.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Foucher
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Medina
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Navarro
mesh_terms: D006228:Hand Deformities, Congenital / Q000601:surgery*; D018737:Hand Strength; D006801:Humans; D008866:Microsurgery; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013933:Thumb / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000601:surgery*