Doctors replace man’s cut thumb with grafted toe

Three months after losing his thumb in an accident at the workplace, Kurne was excited when doctors successfully replaced the lost thumb with one of his toes. According to cosmetic surgeons, Kurne’s thumb had got stuck in a machine at the mechanical parts manufacturing unit of a factory where he works. The doctors said that by performing reconstructive surgery, the thumb was implanted with a toe and with simple exercises he would regain strength in his ‘new’ thumb.

The doctors said surgery was the only option for immediate relief because Kurne was not being able to work as he could not handle machines or hold equipment without a thumb. “When the patient was approached we used skin from the abdomen to graft the thumb,” said Dr Vinod Vij, cosmetic surgeon.

Dr Vij said that it is possible to replace a thumb. The process is called ultra-rare and micro-surgical process. “As the surgery was complicated and technically there were chances of difficulties. The surgery took six hours and was successful,” he added.

The doctors said that while dissecting the toe they secured all the veins and arteries for proper flow of blood, nerves for sensation and tendons for the support to ensure natural movements in the body.

“Once the veins, arteries, nerves, and tendons are stitched it takes six weeks for the blood flow to be restored and more than four months for the movement and sensation of the new thumb,” added Dr Vij.

He further stated that after six months the man would be able to use his thumb as effectively as his old one.