Revolutionary Surgery: Delhi Doctors Transform Amputated Toe into Functional Thumb

The second toe from the amputated leg was utilized to reconstruct the thumb. (Representative)

New Delhi:

In an extraordinary case of medical innovation, a 20-year-old man from Delhi who lost his thumb found a unique solution through his own amputated foot. Surgeons performed a remarkable procedure, transplanting a toe from his amputated leg to create a new thumb.

The young man suffered severe trauma in a road accident involving a collision between a motorcycle and a tractor. The impact resulted in the complete amputation of his left leg below the knee and the loss of his left thumb, according to a statement released by Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in Delhi.

Medical staff at the hospital examined both the amputated leg and thumb for potential reattachment. Unfortunately, due to extensive crush injuries, direct reimplantation was not viable for either body part. However, surgeons discovered that the second toe from the amputated leg remained in suitable condition and could serve as a replacement for the thumb.

By making this innovative surgical decision, doctors were able to restore both movement and functionality to the patient's hand while utilizing tissue from the limb that could not otherwise be salvaged, the hospital reported.

Dr. Mahesh Mangal, Senior Consultant and Head of the Department of Plastic, Cosmetic and Hand Microsurgery, led the intricate microsurgical procedure. He noted, "The hospital has performed more than 700 reimplantations of body parts, including fingers, toes, scalp, ear, and upper limbs."

Dr. Mangal emphasized the critical importance of rapid response following accidents involving amputations.

"Patients and relatives should always try to search for the amputated part at the trauma scene. Timely and efficient transportation of the patient and the preserved amputated part to the reimplantation centre is critical for survival and function," he advised.

He further elaborated that microsurgery began at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in 1981. Since then, the department has evolved into a center of excellence specializing in the reimplantation of body parts lost during industrial, agricultural, household, and road accidents.

According to the hospital, the patient has successfully regained a functional thumb and is making good progress in his recovery.