[The cleft hand. Proposal of a classification based on 279 cleft hands].
OBJECTIVE
We propose a new classification of cleft hand based on the analysis of our own cases and a literature search.


METHODS
We analysed clinical data and radiographs of 31 patients with 54 cleft hands in addition to 225 cleft hands from the literature, and classified them with the help of schematic drawings of radiographs in extension of the proposals of Blauth and Schneider-Sickert.


RESULTS
Classification of cleft hand: 1. Median cleft hands without involvement of thumb and small finger. 2. Medioradial cleft hands with thumb affected but with detectable residuals preserved. 3. Radial cleft hands with thumb aplasia. Medioulnar cleft hands with small finger affected but detectable residuals preserved. 5. Ulnar cleft hands with small finger aplasia. Median cleft hands more frequently appear unilateral and are more seldom combined with cleft feet as medioradial and radial cleft hands. In radiographs, aplasia predominate in radial cleft hands while synostoses often appear in median cleft hands.


CONCLUSIONS
The new classification enables us to arrange the great diversity of this malformation and takes medioulnar and ulnar cleft hands into account.
Falliner
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A
Klinik für Orthopädie, Universitätsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel. Axel_Falliner@hotmail.com
D000015:Abnormalities, Multiple / Q000145:classification / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D005385:Fingers / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005532:Foot Deformities, Congenital / Q000145:classification / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000235:genetics / Q000601:surgery; D006228:Hand Deformities, Congenital / Q000145:classification* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000235:genetics / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D017689:Polydactyly / Q000145:classification / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000235:genetics; D011859:Radiography; D013576:Syndactyly / Q000145:classification / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000235:genetics / Q000601:surgery; D013577:Syndrome; D013580:Synostosis / Q000145:classification / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000235:genetics; D013933:Thumb / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging