Thumb Hypoplasia and Thumb Aplasia

Thumb hypoplasia is a congenital underdevelopment of the thumb ray, the extent of which ranges from a reduction of the thumb to the absence of essential parts, up to the complete absence of the entire ray (thumb aplasia). The third chapter describes and explains the various degrees of thumb hypoplasia and their treatment. A large part of the chapter is devoted to pollicization (surgical repositioning of the index finger into the thumb position) and its aftercare, as the success of the operation depends significantly on the follow-up care. At the end of the chapter, a treatment example is given, where scar care also plays a role.