Indications for surgery and functional status of patients with congenital hand anomalies persisting beyond childhood

BACKGROUND@#Reconstruction for congenital hand anomalies, if indicated, is generally recommended during early childhood to optimize function before formal education starts and minimize the psychosocial impact. There have been limited reports on these conditions persisting beyond the recommended age for surgery.@*OBJECTIVE@#The research aimed to explore the common reasons why patients consult for late surgery and determine the baseline function of the patients prior to reconstructive surgery using the Filipino Disability of Arm Shoulder and Hand (Fil-DASH).@*METHODS@#An observational, chart review of cases from 2013-2021 was done. The reasons and indications were extracted from the history and Fil-DASH scores were recorded with available data. The results were presented using summary statistics and tabulation of qualitative data.@*RESULTS@#Twenty-five hands in 20 patients underwent reconstruction of congenital anomalies persisting beyond childhood. The most common indication for surgery was concerns regarding work opportunities. Hope for a better function, cosmesis, social pressure and hygiene were the other reasons mentioned. Most of the patients did not complain of significant problems in doing activities of daily living. This was supported by their Fil-DASH scores and employment status prior to surgery.@*CONCLUSION@#In this population, the indications to request for reconstruction of congenital anomalies beyond childhood were not necessarily due to loss of function but to increase opportunities for employment, improved appearance and hope for increased function. The results may aid in the understanding of the natural history of congenital hand anomalies and guide the physicians with more specific advice for parents with children presenting with these conditions.

Prevalence of the Linburg-Comstock Anomaly in a Brazilian Population Sample / Prevalência da anomalia de Linburg-Comstock em uma amostra populacional brasileira

Abstract Objective To determine the prevalence of the Linburg-Comstock anomaly in a Brazilian population sample. Methods A cross-sectional observational study was carried out between October 2017 and April 2018. We included male and female volunteers aged 18 years or older. The presence of the Linburg-Comstock anomaly was determined by performing the clinical tests described by Linburg and Comstock. The data were analyzed using the GraphPad Prism software, and we considered differences with p < 0.05. Results The study analyzed 1,008 volunteers (2,016 hands) with a mean age of 38.3 years, 531 (52.67%) of which were male, and 477 (47.33%) were female. The Linburg-Comstock anomaly was diagnosed in 564 (55.95%) individuals, and it was bilateral in 300 (53.2%) of them, right-sided in 162 (28.72%), and left-sided in 102 (18.08%). No significant differences were found when comparing the prevalence between genders. However, a the prevalence of the right-sided anomaly in the male population (n = 99; 70.21%) was higher than in the female one (n = 63; 51.21%), with p = 0.0016. In addition, the presence of pain by the maneuver described by Linburg and Comstock was more prevalent in women (n = 150; 54.94%) than in men (n = 105; 36.08%), with p = 0.0001. These results show the importance of epidemiological studies on the Linburg-Comstock anomaly, mainly in order to investigate the presence of associated conditions. Conclusion The prevalence of the Linburg-Comstock anomaly in the studied population was of 55.95%, and it was bilateral in 53.2% of the volunteers. The presence of the connection was observed more frequently in the right side and among men, but the pain symptom was more frequent among women.

Resumo Objetivo Determinar a prevalência da anomalia de Linburg-Comstock em uma amostra populacional brasileira. Métodos Estudo observacional transversal realizado no período de outubro de 2017 a abril de 2018. Foram incluídos voluntários dos gêneros feminino e masculino, com idade igual ou superior a 18 anos. A presença da anomalia de Linburg-Comstock foi determinada pela realização dos testes clínicos descritos por Linburg e Comstock. Os dados foram analisados por meio do software GraphPad Prism, sendo consideradas diferenças com valores de p < 0,05. Resultados O estudo analisou 1.008 voluntários (2.016 mãos) com idade média de 38,3 anos, dos quais 531 (52,67%) eram do gênero masculino, e 477 (47,33%) eram do gênero feminino. A anomalia de Linburg-Comstock foi diagnosticada em 564 voluntários (55,95%) da população estudada, sendo bilateral em 300 (53,2%), direita em 162 (28,72%), e esquerda em 102 (18,08%). Não foram encontradas diferenças significativas quando se comparou a prevalência entre os gêneros. Porém, foi encontrada uma maior prevalência da anomalia direita na população masculina (n = 99; 70,21%) do que na feminina (n = 63; 51,21%), com p = 0,0016. Além disso, a presença da dor pela manobra descrita por Linburg e Comstock foi mais prevalente nas mulheres (n = 150; 54,94%) do que nos homens (n = 105; 36,08%), com p = 0,0001. Estes resultados mostram a importância dos estudos epidemiológicos sobre a anomalia de Linburg-Comstock, principalmente com o intuito de investigar a presença de afecções associadas. Conclusão A prevalência da anomalia de Linburg-Comstock na população estudada foi de 55,95%, sendo bilateral em 53,2% dos voluntários. A presença da conexão foi observada com maior frequência do lado direito em homens, mas o sintoma dor foi mais frequente nas mulheres.

Surgical results from treating children with syndactyly through the collective effort system at "SOS Hand Recife" between 2005 and 2009

Objective: to evaluate the results from and parents' satisfaction with treatment for children with syndactyly who were operated at the "SOS Hand Recife" hospital between 2005 and 2009. Methods: data for assessing the results were gathered from the patients' medical files. The subjective scores, which were ascertained prospectively, were as follows: greater than or equal to 9, good result; between 6 and 8, fair result; less than 6, poor result. The results were analyzed statistically. This study was approved by the institution's ethics committee. Results: among the 35 cases, 21 (60%) consisted of simple syndactyly and 14 (40%) were complex; 22 (62.8%) were boys and 13 (37.1%) were girls. The complex cases were predominantly among males. The main complications were infection (11.4%), bleeding (11.4%) and pain (8.6%). There were more complications in the complex cases (42.8%) than in the simple cases (33.3%). The mean scores from the parents' subjective evaluations were as follows: 7.6 for esthetics (7.7 in simple cases and 7.3 in complex cases; 8.2 for function (8.6 in simple cases and 7.6 in complex cases); 8.3 for the parents' general satisfaction level (8.6 in simple cases and 8.0 in complex cases); and 85.7% of the parents would recommend the surgery to others while 14.5% would not. A strong association was observed between the specialist's objective assessment and the scores given by the parents (p < 0.05). Conclusion: the surgical results from treating syndactyly presented differences between the simple and complex types, even though the parents' esthetic evaluations and satisfaction were similar...

Objetivo: avaliar resultados e satisfação dos pais quanto ao tratamento de crianças portadoras de sindactilia operadas entre 2005 e 2009 no Hospital SOS Mão Recife. Métodos: foram coletados, nos prontuários, os dados para avaliação dos resultados. Os escores subjetivos, verificados prospectivamente, foram: igual ou superior a 9, bom resultado; entre 6 e 8, resultado regular; abaixo de 6, mau resultado. Os resultados foram analisados estatisticamente. A pesquisa foi aprovada pelo Comitê de Ética da Instituição. Resultados: dos 35 casos, 21 (60%) foram sindactilias simples e 14 (40%) complexas; 22 (62,8%) eram meninos e 13 (37,1%) meninas. Houve predominância masculina nos casos complexos. As principais complicações foram: infecção (11,4%), sangramento (11,4%) e dor (8,6%). Ocorreram mais complicações nos casos complexos (42,8%) contra 33,3% nos simples. A avaliação subjetiva dos pais revelou: quanto à estética, média de 7,6, porém com média de 7,7 nos casos simples e 7,3 nos complexos; na função, a média foi de 8,2, 8,6 e 7,6, respectivamente, nas simples e nas complexas; em relação ao grau de satisfação dos pais, 8,3 (geral), 8,6 e 8 respectivamente; sobre a possibilidade de os pais recomendarem a cirurgia a outros, 85,7% recomendariam, contra 14,3% contrários. Foi observada forte associação entre a avaliação objetiva do especialista e os escores atribuídos pelos pais (p < 0,05). Conclusão: os resultados cirúrgicos da sindactilia apresentam diferenças entre os tipos simples e complexo, apesar de o aspecto estético e a satisfação dos pais serem semelhantes...