title: Outcome of two types of surgical correction of the extra phalanx in triphalangeal thumb: is there a difference?
abstract: The surgical strategy of treatment of the opposable triphalangeal thumb is correction of the radio-ulnar deviation, reduction of the additional length and joint stabilization. The commonest procedures are: (1) removal of the extra phalanx and stabilization of the remaining joint; and (2) a combined reduction osteotomy with resection of the distal joint followed by arthrodesis. We treated 20 patients (33 hands). In 17 hands the extra phalanx was removed, and in 16 hands we used the combined osteotomy procedure of distal joint removal and arthrodesis. None of the patients in either group had an unstable interphalangeal joint. The mean radial or ulnar deviation in the interphalangeal joint was 5° degrees and 9°, respectively. Mean active flexion in the interphalangeal joint was 35° and 46°, respectively, in the two groups. Results for both procedures are similar, for both objective measures and self-rated function and activities of daily living. Either surgical approach seems reliable.Therapeutic, Level of evidence: Level III.
authors: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands j.zuidam@erasmusmc.nl.
authors: J M
authors: JM
authors: Zuidam
authors: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands Department of Rehabilitation Medicine and Physical Therapy, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
authors: R W
authors: RW
authors: Selles
authors: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
authors: M
authors: M
authors: de Kraker
authors: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
authors: S E R
authors: SE
authors: Hovius
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005384:Finger Joint / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D006228:Hand Deformities, Congenital / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D010027:Osteotomy; D017689:Polydactyly / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery*; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013933:Thumb / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Triphalangeal thumb; outcome; technique