Graftless Syndactyly Release.

Syndactyly release aims to address skin deficits by resurfacing web spaces and sides of digits to allow independent digital motion while minimizing the risk of web creep and scar contractures. Conventional methods include the use of a dorsal and interdigitating flaps with full-thickness skin grafts. More recently, there have been several descriptions of "graftless" syndactyly release without skin grafts, thus avoiding a further (usually distant) donor site. However, the indications of when and when not to use these techniques remain unclear. In addition, the inevitable scarring from extra recruitment of local adjacent skin is perhaps underemphasized. In this article, we revisit the trilobed flap technique which serves to balance the amount of skin needed for resurfacing digits while minimizing local donor site scarring. The geometry and nuances of the flap inset are illustrated in detail to guide those embarking on this technique. The trilobed syndactyly release technique is a reproducible, safe, and reliable method for the release of simple syndactyly.

Parental experience after diagnosis of a congenital upper limb difference: a national survey.

Congenital hand and upper limb differences may be detected during antenatal ultrasonography or visually at birth. We investigated the experience of parents when they first learned that their child had an upper limb difference. This national retrospective cross-sectional quantitative and qualitative survey within the UK and Ireland received 261 responses from parents of children. Differences were first suspected antenatally among 41% of respondents and in 57% postnatally, with 2% unsure. Of the children, 54% were seen in a clinic by a specialist congenital hand surgeon within 3 months and 88% within 12 months, with 73% of respondents feeling unsupported after a diagnosis that was unexpected. Qualitative analysis outlined a broad spectrum of parental concerns about the quality of information received, especially regarding the child's future biopsychosocial needs. This study showed the need for more support for parents from frontline healthcare professionals and the need for a streamlined referral pathway.Level of evidence: IV.

The effect of congenital hand differences on handedness in children.

We investigated whether handedness is influenced by the presence of a congenital hand difference (CHD). Among 31 children with right-sided CHDs, 13 were left-handed and 18 were right-handed, regardless of severity. This was significantly different from the normal population, suggesting that CHD does influence handedness.

Thalidomide upper limb embryopathy - pathogenesis, past and present management and future considerations.

This review article provides a comprehensive overview of thalidomide upper limb embryopathy including updates about its pathogenesis, a historical account of the management of the paediatric thalidomide patient, experience with management of the adult patient, as well as creating awareness about early onset age-related changes associated with limb differences. Despite its withdrawal from the market in November 1961, novel discoveries have meant thalidomide is licensed again and currently still in use to treat a variety of conditions, including inflammatory disorders and some cancers. Yet, if not used safely, thalidomide still has the potential to cause damage to the embryo. Recent work identifying thalidomide analogues that retain clinical benefits yet without the harmful effects are showing great promise. Understanding the problems thalidomide survivors face as they age can allow surgeons to support their unique healthcare issues and translate these principles of care to other congenital upper limb differences.

Age-related changes in patients with upper limb thalidomide embryopathy in the United Kingdom.

We report the long-term upper limb disability, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), functional impairment, self-perception of appearance and prevalence of neuropathic pain in patients with upper limb thalidomide embryopathy in the United Kingdom. One-hundred and twenty-seven patients responded to our electronic questionnaire. Mean Quick Version of the Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand score was 54.3 (SD 22.6). Median EuroQoL 5-Dimension 5-Likert index, Work and Social Adjustment Scale, Derriford Appearance Scale 24 and Neuropathic Pain Scale were 0.6 (IQR 0.4 to 0.7), 15.5 (IQR 8.0 to 23.5), 35.5 (IQR 28.0 to 50.5), and -0.8 (IQR -1.4 to 0.8), respectively. Thirty-three patients (26%) reported neuropathic pain. Finger changes associated with radial longitudinal deficiency were an independent predictor of more severe upper limb disability. Eighty-nine patients (70%) reported deteriorating HRQoL with increasing age. Patients with upper limb thalidomide embryopathy experience age-related worsening of symptoms and function, highlighting the need for ongoing specialist care and support.Level of evidence: IV.

Re-examining the nomenclature of congenital failure of formation in the upper limb: a historical perspective.

In this study, we studied historical case notes to examine nomenclature of congenital upper limb anomalies and explore the changes in terminologies over time. Original diagnoses were reclassified according to previously published classifications and the most recent Oberg, Manske and Tonkin system. Two hundred and thirty-eight case notes were obtained from the period 1961-1991. Hand plate malformations where the diagnosis was obvious or traumatic defects, were excluded. Eighty-six cases (106 extremities) were finally included where an ambiguous diagnosis, such as 'congenital absence' was initially given. None of the re-classifications matched the original diagnoses except for cleft hand and radial dysplasia (n = 31). Eighteen phocomelia-type limbs were re-classifiable when seen as a continuum of longitudinal deficiency, but not as an intercalary deficit. This study provided further insights into the evolving nature of nomenclature in congenital upper limb anomalies, especially for the condition of phocomelia.Level of evidence: IV.

The association between trauma and paediatric trigger thumb deformity; experience from a single tertiary referral hospital.

Whilst the natural history and management of trigger thumb have been thoroughly investigated, the aetiology of the condition remains poorly understood. There are suggestions that this could be a congenital or acquired condition, but evidence remains limited. A history of trauma has repeatedly been noted in a proportion of patients presenting with trigger thumb. This retrospective study reviewed the presentations of 75 cases of trigger thumb in 65 consecutive children who underwent surgery for trigger thumb. We found that 28% of affected digits presented with a traumatic history to the thumb, of those 90% presented immediately post-injury with a flexion deformity. Those who presented with a traumatic history were typically younger at presentation (median age 27.0 months compared to 37.5 months for traumatic and atraumatic presentations respectively) but also tended to present earlier than the atraumatic group (one day compared to 12.17 months respectively). We conclude that a single traumatic event is unlikely to be the causative factor in the development of trigger thumb in children but it may expediate the development of individuals who are predisposed.

Comparison of Prevalence of Osteoarthritis in the Hand: A Multicenter Retrospective Cohort Study.

Introduction Several studies have previously been undertaken to investigate the prevalence of radiologic hand osteoarthritis (OA) in Caucasian, Japanese, Chinese, and Arabic populations. To date, there has been no direct international comparison study on the prevalence of radiologic hand OA between a Western and a Southeast Asian population. We hypothesize that there is difference in the pattern of joint involvement among individuals of both populations. Materials and Methods Consecutive hand radiographs from individuals aged 60 years and above were reviewed. Radiographic evidence of osteoarthritis in the various joints in the hands was graded using Kellgren-Lawrence (K-L) score. Chi-square test, Fisher's exact test, or Student's t -test was used as appropriate. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the associations and relationships of radiographic hand OA between joints. Results A total of 194 patients exhibited radiographic OA. Singaporean patients were more likely to have radiographic OA of the thumb interphalangeal joint (IPJ) (65.1%) compared with the thumb carpometacarpal joint (CMCJ; 40.2%); British patients were more likely to have CMCJ (43.3%) OA than thumb IPJ (21.0%). The difference was statistically significant ( p = 0.00026). In the Singapore population, it was more likely that a patient had concurrent OA of both thumb and finger joints, whereas in the British population, this was apparent in only the above-80-year-old group. The most commonly affected joint was the left thumb IPJ (joint specific prevalence of 35%) in the Singapore population, and the right index finger distal interphalangeal joint (DIPJ; joint specific prevalence of 41.5%) in the British population. Conclusion Our study, the first study to compare between Singaporean and British populations, showed statistically significant difference in the prevalence of OA in the hands. These findings suggest ethnic and cultural factors play a part in such a distribution trend.

The Oberg, Manske, and Tonkin Classification of Congenital Upper Limb Anomalies: A Consensus Decision-Making Study for Difficult or Unclassifiable Cases.

PURPOSE: An ideal classification system promotes communication and guides treatment for congenital upper limb differences (CULDs). The Oberg, Manske, and Tonkin (OMT) classification utilizes phenotypic presentation and knowledge of developmental biology for the classification of CULDs. In this consensus decision-making study, we hypothesized that CULDs that are difficult to classify would be identically classified by a group of experienced pediatric hand surgeons. METHODS: An international consortium of 14 pediatric hand surgeons in 3 countries contributed a group of 72 difficult-to-classify CULD cases. These were identified from the clinical practices of the surgeons and from associated registries. Through a Delphi-type process, repeated efforts were made to obtain consensus for the correct OMT classification of each case utilizing clinical images and radiographs. RESULTS: The first round of discussion yielded a universal consensus for 57 cases. The remaining 15 cases continued to be put through additional rounds of the Delphi-type process. The repeat classification and discussion resulted in a final yield of 93% complete consensus in classification by the OMT. The primary challenge in diagnosis was differentiating cleft hand from ulnar longitudinal deficiency, identified as group A. Five cases were in this group, yet 2 remained without a clear consensus. Another controversial group, group B, was termed "brachy-polydactyly" and consisted of 3 cases where diagnoses varied between sympolydactyly, symbrachydactyly, or complex syndactyly. CONCLUSIONS: The Delphi-type process was feasible and effective and allowed a 93% consensus in the diagnosis of difficult-to-classify cases by the OMT Classification. There remain limitations and controversies with the OMT system, especially when classifying hands with less than 5 skeletal digits, syndactyly, and those with diagnostic overlap between ulnar longitudinal deficiency and cleft hand and those considered "brachypolydactyly." An improved understanding of the underlying etiology may be needed to determine the final diagnosis in difficult-to-classify conditions. CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT: A consensus-seeking approach is effective and feasible in addressing difficult-to-classify CULDs.