Treatment of Common Congenital Hand Conditions

Congenital hand difference is caused by abnormal embryonic development of the limb and represents one of the most prevalent congenital birth defects worldwide. Using the new classification system proposed by Oberg, Manske and Tonkin (OMT) and endorsed by the International Federation of Societies for Surgery of the Hand, congenital hand differences are classified into malformations, deformations, and dysplasias and syndromes. Malformations are subdivided into abnormal development of proximal-distal, radial-ulnar (anterior-posterior), dorsal-ventral, and unspecified axis. We introduce here the state-of-the-art surgical treatment for thumb duplication and syndactyly. The surgical principle, timing, procedures, and postsurgical management are described for each condition.