Treatment of lateral ray polydactyly of the hand [duplicate thumb]

ABSTRACT

The prime function of the thumb to be in opposition against the other digit and the prerequisites for stable pinch especially a stable metacarpophalangeal ulnar collateral ligament. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the results of the operative treatment of lateral ray polydactyly of the hand and to consider appropriate surgical procedures. Eight patients underwent management of lateral ray polydactyly of the hand [12 individual thumbs] during the period from May 2006 to July 2007. Cases were classified morphologically into three types on the basis of Stelling's classification. In addition, these types were divided into seven types on the basis of radiographic evaluation on the basis of Wassel's classification. All patients were treated in Damietta Al-Azher University Hospital, all of them were treated surgically; three of 12 thumbs retained persistent deviation and required secondary surgery in the form of exploration and tendon repositioning to correct deviation of growth after one year. Four patients suffered from postoperative pain. The pain occurred at that protuberant point