title: Distraction lengthening of the thumb following replantation.
abstract: Distraction lengthening is one of several surgical reconstructive methods used to obtain length of an amputated digit and to improve function. However, the use of this technique following replantation is a relatively new concept. A case of a 32-year-old male who sustained a traumatic amputation of his left nondominant thumb and index finger is described. The injury and the replantation surgery each resulted in a significant amount of bone loss from the thumb. Nine months following the replantation, distraction osteogenesis was utilized to lengthen the thumb and to improve both function and cosmesis.
authors.affiliation: Texas Tech University Medical School, Texas Tech Health Science Center, El Paso, Texas, USA.
authors.forename: Nathan E
authors.initials: NE
authors.lastname: Lesley
authors.forename: Miguel A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Pirela-Cruz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000673:Amputation, Traumatic / Q000601:surgery*; D005383:Finger Injuries / Q000601:surgery; D006230:Hand Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019857:Osteogenesis, Distraction / Q000379:methods*; D012092:Replantation; D013933:Thumb / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery*