title: Isolated ring-little finger metacarpal synostosis: a new classification system and treatment strategy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To devise a comprehensive classification system for isolated ring-little finger metacarpal synostosis that offers a clear guide to specific treatment for each variation of the deformity.
  
  
  METHODS
  Based on the experience of 13 cases (20 hands) of isolated ring-little finger metacarpal synostosis, we devised a classification system that takes into account 2 key pathological features of this malformation: the fourth-fifth intermetacarpal angle and the severity of hypoplasia of the fifth ray. In our classification, all patients were divided into 3 types, according to the fourth-fifth intermetacarpal angle, and each type was further subdivided into 2 subtypes according to the length of the fifth ray.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All 20 hands could be classified according to our classification, including 2 hands of type A (both A1), 10 hands of type B (9 B1; 1 B2), and 8 hands of type C (7 C1; 1 C2). Patients of different classification types received different treatments according to our proposed classification-related guidelines. It was also possible to classify all the cases found in literature according to this scheme.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our classification for ring-little finger metacarpal synostosis is simple and easy to remember. It is applicable to all possible variations of the congenital anomaly and can guide treatment for the whole spectrum of the deformity.
  
  
  METHODS
  Therapeutic V.
authors: Department of Hand Surgery, Beijing Ji Shui Tan Hospital, the Fourth Clinical College of Peking University, Beijing, China.
authors: Bo
authors: B
authors: Liu
authors: Department of Hand Surgery, Beijing Ji Shui Tan Hospital, the Fourth Clinical College of Peking University, Beijing, China.. Electronic address: zhaojh654321@hotmail.com.
authors: Jun-Hui
authors: JH
authors: Zhao
authors: Department of Hand Surgery, Beijing Ji Shui Tan Hospital, the Fourth Clinical College of Peking University, Beijing, China.
authors: Wen
authors: W
authors: Tian
authors: Department of Hand Surgery, Beijing Ji Shui Tan Hospital, the Fourth Clinical College of Peking University, Beijing, China.
authors: Shan-Lin
authors: SL
authors: Chen
authors: Department of Hand Surgery, Beijing Ji Shui Tan Hospital, the Fourth Clinical College of Peking University, Beijing, China.
authors: Chun
authors: C
authors: Li
authors: Department of Hand Surgery, Beijing Ji Shui Tan Hospital, the Fourth Clinical College of Peking University, Beijing, China.
authors: Jin
authors: J
authors: Zhu
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D016025:Bone Transplantation / Q000379:methods; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005385:Fingers / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D006228:Hand Deformities, Congenital / Q000145:classification* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D050279:Metacarpal Bones / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D010027:Osteotomy / Q000379:methods; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013580:Synostosis / Q000145:classification* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*
keywords: Classification; metacarpal synostosis