· Medsafar
A little girl was born without a left thumb, and with a right thumb too underdeveloped to use. Without working thumbs, a child struggles to learn to grasp, pinch and hold things.
Dr Nilesh G Satbhai, Director of Plastic, Reconstructive Microsurgery and Hand Transplantation, and his team planned two operations. Her blood vessels and nerves were tiny, which made the work delicate, and because both hands were affected, both operations had to succeed.
The first operation, in December 2025, steadied the weak right thumb and moved a muscle from her palm so the thumb could turn and touch the other fingers. Within weeks she began to use it.
The second, in February 2026, built a new left thumb by moving the second toe from her left foot to her hand and joining its blood vessels, nerves and tendons under the microscope. The surgeons also rebuilt the foot so it would keep working normally.
At 13 months old she can hold her parents' fingers. Surgery like this works best early, while a child is still learning to use their hands.
If your child was born with a hand difference, send us photos and any reports. A specialist will advise what can be done and when.