title: Two case reports of pollicization of a previously syndactylized index finger for congenitally absent thumb.
abstract: Two patients with absent thumbs and complicated syndactyly were successfully treated by pollicization of the index finger. Prior surgical release of the index finger syndactyly and then pollicization of that digit carries with it an increased risk of neurovascular compromise, adverse placement of surgical scars, and a stiff or unstable thumb. With caution, very satisfying reconstructive results can nonetheless be attained.
authors.affiliation: Division of Plastic Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, 6560 Fannin, Suite 800, Houston, TX 77030, USA. netscher@bcm.tmc.edu
authors.forename: David T
authors.initials: DT
authors.lastname: Netscher
authors.forename: Firas
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Eladoumikdachi
mesh_terms: D000015:Abnormalities, Multiple / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005385:Fingers / Q000637:transplantation*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006228:Hand Deformities, Congenital / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D020127:Recovery of Function; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D013576:Syndactyly / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D013933:Thumb / Q000002:abnormalities*; D016896:Treatment Outcome