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Original Article
January 1972

Tissue Cover for the Thumb Web: A Review

Author Affiliations

Iowa City
From the Division of Hand Surgery, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Iowa, Iowa City. Dr. Sharpe was a fellow of the Division of Hand Surgery supported by the Childrens' Bureau, Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, and by a travel grant from the New South Wales (Australia) Joint Coal Board. Dr. Sharpe is now an associate of Honaorary Plastic Surgery at Hornsby and District Hospital, Sydney, Australia.

Arch Surg. 1972;104(1):21-25. doi:10.1001/archsurg.1972.04180010015004
Abstract

The causes of restraint of thumb web motility are congenital hypoplasia, trauma, and burns. The latter two, since they usually include fibrosis and injury to local skin that could be used for repair, are the most serious. In treatment abduction must be maintained after release of the restraint. New tissue coverage must follow accepted principles of proper placement of suture lines where plastic procedures are used, and adequate restoration of subcutaneous tissue, as well as skin, where that is indicated. Details of how to select and fashion the appropriate flaps are set forth.

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