The point the author is making seems to be against the consensus of other hand specialists (this is at least my perception, as someone who has an index finger issue and has asked specialists "can't I just cut it off?").

The author is basically (and provocatively) saying "Are you kidding me? You really think it's useful for people to continue to be burdened with non-functional appendages?" to his colleagues, and I think the humor is likely to get them to engage with his thesis rather than dismiss it off hand.

I have sent this to several doctor friends, and the writing style prompted them to send it to several more, so, I think it's quite likely that tone served the author's point.