New Delhi, December 8 (IANS). The wonders of medical science have once again been seen in the country’s capital Delhi. A team of expert doctors at a private hospital in Dwarka, capital Delhi, changed the life of an injured Sudanese soldier by successfully performing a very rare and complex toe-to-thumb reconstruction surgery.
Abdullah Alkhader, 34, lost the thumb, index finger and middle finger of his right hand when he was shot during the conflict in Sudan, leaving him unable to perform even simple tasks. With only the ring finger and pinky finger left, even daily tasks like holding a cup, buttoning, picking up objects and eating on one’s own had become a challenge. As a soldier as well as a father, this disability was deeply affecting both his self-confidence and independence. In search of better treatment, Abdalla reached India, where he started treatment from a doctor in a private hospital in Dwarka. After examination, the doctor recommended Free Microvascular Toe-to-Thumb Transfer, a rare surgery in which a toe is transplanted into the hand to form a new thumb.
Abdalla’s case was not an ordinary one. The hand was severely affected by the bullet and was missing several fingers, resulting in a condition known as ‘metacarpal hand’, that is, the major functional part of the hand was lost. In such a situation, not only a new thumb had to be made, but the pathways of tendons and nerves that control the movement of the hand also had to be rebuilt. The team of doctors performed extremely complex microsurgery. The second toe on Abdallah’s left foot was carefully removed and transplanted into his right hand. With the help of a microscope, nerves and blood vessels thinner than a hair were reconnected so that the transplanted thumb could survive, move naturally and regain normal function over time.
Talking about the challenge of the surgery, the doctor said that the condition of Abdullah’s hand was very complex. He lost most of the functionality of his hand due to a bullet injury. We had to reconstruct not just the thumb, but the entire movement chain so that the hand could function as a unit again. Toe-to-thumb transfer is a microscopic surgery; Even a slight difference of millimeters can make a difference. The success of this surgery has made him capable of daily activities again.
For Abdullah this surgery is no less than a miracle. With this, he not only regained the function of his hand but also regained his independence, dignity and ability to live life.
–IANS
PSK
