Surgeon performs Sunshine Coast's first toe-to-thumb transfer following workplace accident
A plastic surgeon on Australia's Sunshine Coast has successfully performed the region's first toe-to-thumb transfer on a factory worker who lost her thumb in an accident. The complex 12-hour procedure involved transplanting bone, tendons, and nerves from the patient's foot to reconstruct a functional thumb.
Why it matters
This medical milestone highlights advancements in reconstructive surgery and the life-changing impact of specialized procedures for workplace injury victims.
When an East Timorese immigrant working in a Queensland factory lost her thumb in a conveyor belt incident, she was "very sad" and feared the worst.
But now, eight months later, her surgeon has given her hope.
Francisca Amaral, 40, moved to the Sunshine Coast more than 10 years ago to work for a produce factory. She supports her partner, two teenage sons, mother and siblings, who all remain in East Timor.
She said losing her left thumb at work in January was "very scary" because she was "all alone" without her family.
Plastic surgeon Chandan Jadhav initially used a flap of skin from Amaral's forearm as a cover.
Then, on July 16 at the Sunshine Coast University Private Hospital, he performed the region's first toe-to-thumb transfer.
Dr Jadhav said it was important to take three to six months to "mentally prepare" the patient.
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