15 April,2026 08:15 AM IST | Mumbai | Ritika Gondhalekar
Dr Nilesh G Satbhai (right) of Nanavati Max Super Speciality Hospital
Doctors at Nanavati Max Super Speciality Hospital have restored functional hand use of a toddler born with severe congenital thumb deformities. The complex two-stage reconstructive microsurgery has given her the gift of touch, grip, and independence.
Varidhi Varunsingh Thakur, now 13 months old, was born without a left thumb and with a severely underdeveloped right thumb lacking sufficient bone and muscle and went through two surgeries. This condition significantly impaired her ability to develop essential motor skills such as grasping and pinching. The first surgery was performed in December 2025, and the second in February 2026.
The biggest challenge was to handle her tiny body structures - the small blood vessels and the thin nerves, shared Dr Satbhai. Because of the extra small size, given her age, repairing these was very difficult and a risky affair.
The child with her mother. PICS/BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Also, another problem was the fact that both her thumbs were compromised - while one hand did not have it at all, the other was majorly underdeveloped. "So having to succeed in both surgeries was important; else it might have led to another major defect," he added.
Soon, within six weeks, once the little girl began using her right thumb and showed no abnormalities, in the second stage, doctors performed an intricate microvascular toe-to-hand transfer to create a new thumb.
The child playing with her brother
"The procedure requires extraordinary precision. We transplanted the second toe from her left foot, reconnecting blood vessels, nerves, and tendons to give the new thumb life. Equally important, we ensured her foot would continue to function normally by realigning the toes and closing the wound in a way that she gains absolute normal functionality in her left donor foot," said Dr Satbhai.
Dr Nilesh G Satbhai, director, plastic, reconstructive microsurgery and hand Transplantation, and his team at Nanavati Max Super Speciality Hospital, carefully planned a two-stage surgical journey. The first step focused on joint stabilisation and the ability to touch other fingers.
"We stabilised her fragile right thumb and transferred a muscle from her palm, allowing it to move and oppose the fingers. Within weeks, a small but powerful change emerged - the baby began to use her thumb," said Dr Satbhai.
