Two case reports of pollicization of a previously syndactylized index finger for congenitally absent thumb.

Two patients with absent thumbs and complicated syndactyly were successfully treated by pollicization of the index finger. Prior surgical release of the index finger syndactyly and then pollicization of that digit carries with it an increased risk of neurovascular compromise, adverse placement of surgical scars, and a stiff or unstable thumb. With caution, very satisfying reconstructive results can nonetheless be attained.