Reconstruction of THUMB in a child with absent thumb

Thumb is crucial for optimum hand function.
The thumb may be absent since birth or may be lost in an accident.
There are several ways to reconstruct a thumb.

A thumb may be reconstructed by transferring the index finger to the location of a natural thumb. It is called pollicization.

This is done very early in childhood so that the new thumb integrates well in the working pattern of the hand.