Camptodactyly / 대한정형외과학회잡지

ABSTRACT

Camptodactyly is a non-traumatic flexion deformity of the PIP joint of the digit (except thumb) and one of rare congenital anomalies of the hand. It may be a clinical manifestation of some other syndrome and may not be a disease of its own right. It is very difficult for this particular problem to get satisfactory results. We analysed 36 digits of 19 patients, whom we treated and followed up for an average of 1.7 years from 1982 to 1988 at the Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Seoul National University Hospital. The following results were obtained. 1. Male to Female ratio is 8 11 and age ranged from 14 months to 32 years old. 2. Unilateral and single digit involvement is twice more commonly found than bilateral and multiple digit involvement respectively. 3. Third digit is the most frequently involved one in our series. 4. Besides soft tissue contractures on the volar aspects of the PIP joints, other pathologic findings are thick reddish glistening palmar skin in 6 patients, tendon problems in 4 patients and bone-joint hypoplasia in 1 patient. 5. We have done 3 types of operation, that is, skin graft, flexor tenotomy with skin Z-plasty, extensor reconstruction with flexor tenotomy and skin Z-plasty. The results of operations ranged from good to poor, however most cases showed above fair results at the final follow-up. 6. Camptodactyly seems to be a disease of various etiologies and pathologies. And it is strongly suggested that the treatment of this syndrome should be individualized according to their pathologies found at surgery.