Improving Understanding and Outcomes in Congenital Hand Differences

It is very important for us, the surgeons, to understand the difficulties of parents who have a baby with a congenital hand difference, not only because the parents are the decision makers for the operation but also because they need consolation and care to overcome their distress. The psychological and physical developmental milestones of the child with a congenital hand difference should be considered to achieve a satisfactory surgical outcome from the viewpoint of both the surgeon and the child. Even experts in congenital hand differences may have difficulties in decision-making with regard to certain entities because of the clinical diversity and rarity. Communication among surgeons who are interested in congenital hand differences, through social networking services or other communication tools, is very helpful and effective for the exchange of knowledge and experiences. Although the final decision should be made by the surgeon, many questions and answers from friends and colleagues will lead to better decisions.