A big toe for a thumb
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Doctors replace man's severed thumb with big toe

A man who accidentally severed his thumb has had his big toe attached in its place.

James Byrne from Bristol severed the thumb on his left hand last December while sawing through wood.

After an attempt to re-attach his damaged thumb failed, plastic surgeons at Frenchay Hospital transplanted his left big toe to his hand.

The 29-year-old said it was vital to have his thumb back to carry out his work as a paver and said he felt "really really lucky" that surgeons had been able to perform the operation.

  • 14 Sep 2011
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