NJ Teen has Toe-to-Thumb Transplant

MARLTON, N.J. - September 11, 2006 (WPVI) -- A South Jersey teen is doing well after an incredible operation - a toe-to-thumb transplant.

14-year-old Zach Buono of Marlton was in for a checkup Monday with his surgeon Dr. David Fuller.

Back in April, Zach lost his thumb and first 2 fingers in a fireworks accident.

And while he functioned pretty well, he couldn't grasp objects.

So Dr. fuller transplanted the second toe on Zach's right foot to create a new thumb. The two are very similar.

"The structures line up very well - you have 2 major nerves, you have a major blood vessel, you have similar tendons. The circumference is very similar," said Dr. Fuller.

Zach got his first look at his new thumb, and decided it was "cool."

"I was kind of surprised. It doesn't look like a toe on a hand. It looks like a thumb on a hand," said Fuller.

Right now, Zach doesn't have any sensation in his new thumb, though he can move it a little. He'll need 4 to 6 months of physical therapy to get it working fully.

So he'll take the year off from the football and wrestling teams at Cherokee Regional High, but plans to compete next year. Zach will go back to school on Tuesday.

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