THUMB DUPLICATION, 66 YEARS EXPERIENCE - A REVIEW OF SURGICAL COMPLICATIONS

Fifty-four supernumerary thumbs excisions were followed for an average of 9 years for results of their surgical management, which consisted of simple excision (16 patients), reconstructive procedures (33 patien ts), or central wedge resections (5 patients). Half of all simple exci sions and reconstructive procedures gave unacceptable results, most we re salvaged. These were primarily joint deviations, joint instabilitie s, and bony prominences. All of our central wedge resections gave unac ceptable results that were not salvageable-short, stiff, fat thumbs wi th nail deformities. We feel this procedure should probably be reserve d for cases where both digits of the supernumerary thumbs are severely hypoplastic.