The simple ablation of the duplicated thumb might have some residual deformities after operation that often leads to functional disorders of the hand. Since 1988, the postoperative disorders in 9 patients were treated. The plastic surgery was performed for the adduction of the thumb, lateral deviation and insufficient after plastic repair of the hand. The configuration and the function of the thumb were satisfactory.
ObjectiveTo study the causes and treatment of postoperative deviation secondary to thumb duplication resection. MethodsBetween February 2007 and June 2013,32 cases (33 thumbs) of postoperative deviation secondary to thumb duplication resection were treated,and the clinical data were retrospectively analyzed.There were 13 males and 19 females,aged 2-34 years (median,8 years).The left thumbs were involved in 7 cases,the right thumbs in 24 cases,and bilateral thumbs in 1 case.Of 33 thumbs,2 were rated as type Ⅱ,4 as type Ⅲ,10 as type IV,7 as type V,and 10 as type VⅡ according to Wassel classification.The average time between duplicated thumb resection and admission was 6.5 years (range,1-29 years).Nine thumbs only had ulnar deviation of the metacarpophalangeal (MP) joint;8 thumbs only had radial deviation of the interphalangeal (IP) joint;10 thumbs only had ulnar deviation of the IP joint;and 6 thumbs had ulnar deviation of the MP joint combined with radial deviation of the IP joint.The mean deviation degree of the MP joint was 32.3°(range,20-40°),and the mean deviation degree of the IP joint was 42.5°(range,30-110°).Operation methods were chosen specially according to the deformity,including remnant bone or cartilage resection,restoring normal alignment,and soft tissue balance. ResultsAll wounds got first stage healing and there was no complication associated with operation.Postoperative follow-up period ranged from 6 to 70 months (mean,34 months).The skeleton alignment of the thumbs was improved on the X-ray images;all osteotomy got union at 5-10 weeks (mean,6 weeks).Deviation was completely corrected in 31 thumbs;the preoperative deviation degree was too large to correct completely in 2 thumbs with a postoperative deviation degree of 10°.The motion degree was similar to that at preoperation in 13 thumbs;the motion degree decreased in 20 thumbs,which did not affect the function of the thumbs.Nineteen cases (20 thumbs) were followed more than 2 years,there was no recurrence of deviation and all thumbs developed well,but the size of affected thumb was smaller than that of the contralateral side in 14 cases (14 thumbs). ConclusionGetting good result and preventing postoperative deviation for thumb duplication resection acquires appropriate preoperative design,reconstruction of the insertion of the abductor pollicis brevis,transposition of the flexor and extensor pollicis longus insertion,and essential osteotomy play important roles in preventing postoperative deviation after thumb duplication resection.Individualized treatment plan for deviation should be made according to the degree and the cause of deviation.
ObjectiveTo study the effectiveness of surgical treatment of congenital type V thumb syndactyly. MethodsBetween March 2010 and May 2015, 12 cases of congenital type V thumb syndactyly were treated. There were 7 males and 5 females, aged from 1 to 25 years (mean, 8 years). The right thumb was involved in 8 cases, and the left thumb in 4 cases. There were 2 cases of radial type, and 10 cases of ulnar type. The basement of polydactylism was far away from the carpometacarpal joint in 7 cases, and was close to the carpometacarpal joint in 5 cases (slight ulnar deviation in 1 case). X-ray films showed that the main first thumb metacarpal bone and trapezium fitted well, and 2 cases had the first metacarpal bone deformity. Preoperative individualized treatment plan was made, and polydactylism was excised by the "S" or "Z" incision and simultaneous reconstruction of thenar muscle insertions or adductor muscle insertions was performed; if necessary, wedge osteotomy was used for correction. ResultsAll incisions healed by first intention with no complication. All cases were followed up 6 to 24 months (mean, 12 months). The thumb appearance, flexion and extension, the function of opposition, abduction function were improved significantly in 11 cases with no scar contracture deformity, small first web space, and deviation deformity. One case had slightly narrow first web space. According to hand function criterion, the results were excellent in 10 cases, good in 1 case, poor in 1 case; excellent and good rate was 91.7%. ConclusionBased on the condition of the type V thumb syndactyly, the individualized treatment plan is made, which can better restore the shape and function of the thumb.