AN OPERATION FOR PARALYSIS OF THE INTRINSIC MUSCLES OF THE THUMB

Abstract

The inability to oppose the thumb to the other fingers owing to paralysis of the intrinsic thenar muscles leads to "flat hand" deformity. This is primarily due to the loss of function in the musculus opponens pollicis, but the short flexor and short abductor are also concerned in the production of this deformity. For many years I have been practicing a tendon transplantation to correct the disability caused by the paralysis and to restore the function of the thumb. As the thumb had to be drawn to the medial side of the hand, I chose for transplantation the flexor sublimis of the ring finger since this would make the process of education easier. <h3>TECHNIC OF OPERATION</h3><h3>Step 1</h3> The skin is opened through the transverse fold at the base of the ring finger. By retracting the skin distally, one can reach the insertion of the bifurcated tendon of the flexor