The patient, an elderly woman, has a recurrent tumor in the little finger usually solved by a partial resection. Dr. Piñal opts in this case for a pioneering technique of anatomical reconstruction of the affected limb.
The problem
The main feature of the analyzed clinical picture is the existence of a recurrent tumor (ie recurrent comebacks after subsequent eliminations) on the fifth finger of the patient’s right hand.
The usual surgical approach in this type of situations is the partial amputation of the auricular finger (fifth finger or little finger). Thus, a stump remains whose presence supposes an aesthetic impact to be taken into account, especially from the psychological perspective of the patient.
The objectives
The pioneering technique of Dr. Piñal for the auricular finger in this type of clinical pictures has a double objective: on the one hand, and in line with the more conventional approach, to eliminate the tumor and the risk of recurrence; On the other, to restore the affected hand from an aesthetic-anatomical point of view, which facilitates the acceptance of the new nature of the limb by the patient, also guaranteeing full functionality.
The plan
The surgical design of the Spanish surgeon starts from the resection of the auricular finger, to later conduct a displacement of the fourth finger to the forementioned finger original position. This displacement is accompanied by a bone combination of metacarpals of both fingers stabilized by screws.
In turn, Dr. Piñal performs a nerve transposition, that is, a transfer of the nerves of the affected area out of its natural anatomical position, so that they do not generate pain or discomfort.
The results
As can be seen in the images of the case, the application of reconstructive surgery techniques allows the patient to have a hand with its aesthetic-anatomical and mobility functions restored, while -in turn- the tumor and the pain are eliminated.