Related Experiment Videos
Postaxial type-B polydactyly. Prevalence and treatment
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Clinical Investigation, Naval Hospital, San Diego, California 92134-5000, USA.
Insights
Postaxial type-B polydactyly affects 1 in 531 newborns, with higher prevalence in Black infants. Simple suture ligation in newborns effectively treated most cases with satisfactory cosmetic outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Clinical Genetics
- Public Health Screening
Background:
- Postaxial type-B polydactyly is a common congenital anomaly of the hand.
- Understanding its prevalence and treatment outcomes is crucial for clinical management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of postaxial type-B polydactyly in newborns.
- To evaluate the efficacy and cosmetic results of newborn nursery treatment via suture ligation.
Main Methods:
- Prospective screening of 11,161 newborns.
- Treatment of polydactyly using suture ligation at the pedicle base.
- Follow-up examination of treated infants.
Main Results:
- Prevalence identified as 1 in 531 live births, with higher rates in Black infants (1 in 143).
- 86% of cases had a family history.
- Suture ligation was effective, with 43% showing minor residual bumps at follow-up, and high parental satisfaction.
Conclusions:
- Postaxial type-B polydactyly is relatively common, particularly in certain racial groups.
- Newborn suture ligation is a safe and effective treatment with good cosmetic results.
- Family history is a significant factor in the occurrence of this anomaly.
Abstract:
A prospective screening program of 11,161 newborns identified twenty-one infants who had postaxial type-B polydactyly (a prevalence of one in 531 live births). Sixteen infants (76 per cent) had bilateral postaxial type-B polydactyly. Eighteen infants (86 per cent) had a family history of the anomaly. The racial prevalence was one in 143 live births of black infants and one in 1339 live births of white infants. The duplicated small fingers were treated in the newborn nursery with suture ligation at the base of the pedicle. One infant had a second procedure to remove a blackened digit that remained firmly attached one month after the initial treatment. No other complications occurred. Fifteen patients (twenty-eight fingers) were reexamined at an average age of twenty months (range, twelve to thirty-seven months). Twelve fingers (43 per cent) had a residual bump, with an average diameter of two millimeters (range, one to six millimeters). Despite the residual bumps, all of the parents were satisfied with the cosmetic result.