A Sunshine Coast plastic surgeon has rebuilt a woman’s missing thumb using her second toe in the region’s first total thumb transfer.
The patient, East Timorese immigrant Francisca Amaral, 40, was working at a local produce factory when she lost her thumb in a conveyor belt accident.
The 12-hour procedure was performed by Dr Chandan Jadhav at Sunshine Coast University Private Hospital.
Dr Jadhav said the procedure meant patients could now access complex reconstructive surgery on the Sunshine Coast.
“It was the first surgery of its kind performed on the Sunshine Coast, and it was made possible through the support and collaboration of Ramsay Health Care,” he said.
“Patients had to be sent to Brisbane previously, but we now have the state-of-the-art facilities on the Sunshine Coast.”
Ms Amaral has begun rehabilitation with hand therapists and occupational therapists, and is making good progress.
“She’s got back all the sensation in the thumb, and she’s started to use the thumb, which is basically her toe, now to do most of the activities,” Dr Jadhav said.
Ms Amaral will require at least six months of rehabilitation, with a graduated return to work the goal.
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Dr Jadhav said he specialised in plastic surgery because it was “a problem-solving specialty that addresses a diverse range of conditions and patient needs”.
“I find great fulfilment in restoring both form and function for my patients, knowing that this can have a meaningful and positive impact on their quality of life,” he said.
Dr Jadhav said the procedure was not one he hoped to perform often.
“We never want any patient to have a thumb surgery,” he said.
“But if they have any kind of accidents and surgeries, we have the expertise and we’re pretty confident to perform them at the Sunshine Coast.”
