Restoration of opposition of the thumb.

During the period 1966--75 operation to restore thumb opposition was performed in thirty four patients. Out of twenty seven patients who could be traced, twenty one had obtained a satisfactory result, five had considerably improved, while one had to be classified as a failure. Complications from the operation and the motor tendon are discussed. Among 147 cases with injury to the median nerve treated during the same period, operation to obtain opposition was indicated in 14%.