Pollicization of the index finger for radial hypoplasia

Abstract

Background

Associated with anomalies such as VACTERL and Fanconi anemia, congenital hypoplasia of the thumb has a strong association with radial hypoplasia. The majority of patients have bilateral thumb underdevelopment, and those that have a unilateral deformity tend to have the right hand more commonly affected. In order to gain an opposable thumb, patients with a deficient carpometacarpal (CMC) joint, a floating thumb, or complete absence of the thumb can benefit with a thumb amputation and a translocation of the index finger (pollicization) to the thumb position. This video demonstrates the technical steps involved in performing a pollicization procedure in a patient with radial hypoplasia. The video is available electronically.

Methods

All procedures followed were in accordance with the ethical standards of the responsible committee on human experimentation (institutional and national) and with the Helsinki Declaration of 1975, as revised in 2008 (5). Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the video. The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Results

Pollicization allows for improved functional results in patients with radial hypoplasia.

Conclusions

This video has reviewed the essential steps in performing a pollicization procedure in patients with radial hypoplasia.