Dr. Abdul Wahab Abdul Ghani is one of the best orthopedic surgeons in Malaysia. Currently he is working at KPJ Ampang Puteri Specialist Hospital, Ampang. With experience of more than 34 years, he specializes in surgeries of the foot, ankle, hand, and wrist. His education qualification includes MBBS from Malaya University, FRCS, and M.CH (Ortho) from the University of Liverpool. Dr. Abdul Wahab Abdul Ghani was a Deputy Dean in the School of Medical Sciences, Kubang, and Head of Orthopaedics Department.
What is Pollicization?
Pollicization is represented by the replacing of a functioning finger for a deficient thumb. It substitutes an operating finger for a deficient thumb. In this reconstructive surgery, the index finger is resettled to the position of a thumb.
It is primarily used for infants and other patients that are born without a thumb. It is also helpful when the thumb is lost in injury. Pollicization involves shifting the index finger and rotating it to the thumb’s usual position while leaving its attached veins and arteries. The finger is then connected to the tendons leftover from the previous thumb or substituted to the index finger that improves the functioning of the thumb.
Need for Pollicization
There are five components of restoration of thumb function —strength, mobility, stability, sensibility, and posture. This serves as the basis for any reconstructive plan.
Considering these components and the way they relate to each other enables a functional approach to the thumb deficit that guides the reconstructive hand surgeon.
The goals behind any thumb reconstruction consist of:
· Feel a thumb tip
· Strengthen the interphalangeal and metacarpophalangeal joints
· Provide potency
· Improve posture and positioning of the thumb
Optimal function is the goal of surgical intervention that includes providing the patients with the ability to perform different movements like pinching, power grip, and fine manipulation.
Surgical Therapy
The surgical intervention improves the function of the thumb and provides a pleasing result to the hand. The level of instance determines the reconstruction plan.
The expected outcome for surgical intervention favors reconstruction where an amputation has occurred.
During surgical intervention, the indicator finger metacarpal bone is cut and rotated roughly 120 to 160 degrees. It's also replaced at the base of the hand at the usual position of the thumb. The arterials and modes are left attached. However, they're attached to give the sensation and movement to the new thumb, if jitters and tendons are available from a former thumb.
Outcome and Prognosis
Surgical intervention includes toe-to-hand procedures with excellent results and a high degree of patient satisfaction. The performing survival rate of these transfers is reportedly as high as 98. Reported grip strength is equal to 80 of the non-injured hand’s grip strength in addition to a 2 point demarcation of 8 mm or lower in utmost cases.
Utmost cases who have experienced toe-to-thumb transfer return to work and capsule former rest conditioning with a high degree of function and case satisfaction.
Conclusion
People who may bear pollicization should be estimated to find the perfect treatment option possible. Still, it’s important to get estimated by a largely professed professional. In case you face similar issue contact Dr. Abdul Wahab Abdul Ghani, one of the best Orthopedic Surgeons in Ampang, Malaysia at KPJ Ampang Puteri Specialist Hospital, Ampang.