[Peromelia].
Peromelia is a rare but mutilating congenital deformity representing failure of formation of parts of the upper limb. The deformity is presented unilaterally in the vast majority of the cases. Usually, these children are totally healthy beside from the deformity and are not seriously handicapped by the deformity. Correction of the deformity by hand- or forearm transplantation is not yet possible. Treatment consists of support with prosthesis in case of missing upper- or forearm and construction of fingers by toe-to-hand transplantation in case of missing fingers and hand. Treatment is not mandatory as the children use the stump in combination with their unimpaired upper limb for bimanual daily life activities. The mutilating aspect of the deformity frequently does impair especially parents but also the children to a higher extent than the actual functional disability. Psychological aid is recommended to support children and parents in managing their life with this severe deformity.
Girsch
W
W
Orthopädisches Spital Wien-Speising, Speisinger Strasse 109, Vienna, Austria. werner.girsch@oss.at
Grill
F
F
D001186:Artificial Limbs; D001317:Austria / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D006228:Hand Deformities, Congenital / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology; D017689:Polydactyly; D013576:Syndactyly; D014034:Toes / Q000637:transplantation; D038062:Upper Extremity Deformities, Congenital / Q000523:psychology / Q000601:surgery