Congenital hand deformities are the birth defects involving upper limb of a new born. They can range from simple extra floating little finger to complex problems like brachial plexus birth palsy. Most of these problems can be corrected or improved significantly by a qualified plastic surgeon. However, certain special situations require help of specialists from medical branches other than plastic surgery.
Congenital hand deformity is the single or multiple structural and functional problem/s affecting whole or part of the upper limb of a new born. These problems develop during development of the child in uterus. Usually, during the first few weeks of life these deformities develop and then they progress till the birth of the child.
Congenital hand deformities (birth defects) can present as either single or in combination with defects/problems. It ranges from a simple, extra floating little finger to the complex anomaly of either one or both hands associated with other serious anomalies of the heart, vertebra, kidney, or bone marrow. In such circumstances, a timely multi-disciplinary approach is essential. To enumerate a few of the congenital hand anomalies; syndactyly, polydactyly, radial club hand, thumb aplasia, ulnar club hand, mirror hand, and various types of constriction band sequence.
The causes of congenital hand anomalies have not been exactly defined. However, limb development in the fetus begins at the 4th week of intrauterine life and usually, completes by 8–12 weeks. Almost all congenital hand deformities happen and develop within this time frame of intrauterine life. diagnosis of these anomalies is obvious at birth due to their distinct appearance. Symptoms of associated serious and hidden anomalies like those of the heart, kidneys, and circulatory system require thorough examination, investigations, and involvement of other specialists.
Treatment of hand anomalies by plastic surgery should be preceded by investigations and treatment of other vital organ/system anomalies, if present. The ideal time to correct congenital hand anomalies by plastic surgery is after 1 year of birth. Practically, plastic surgery for congenital hand anomalies must be completed before the child starts writing to avail the maximum benefit of the deformity correction.
Cutis Hospital provides state-of-the art care for children affected with congenital hand anomalies. Our experienced and qualified plastic surgeon himself examines and operates all the patients. Post-operative care is provided by the operating surgeon himself and parents are thoroughly counselled before and after the surgery. Whenever required, we at Cutis Hospital do not hesitate to seek the opinion of a specialist from the same or different specialty. Our anesthesia facility and care are also at par with our surgical standards.
Congenital hand deformity is the birth defect/s involving a digit or multiple digits of hand. Whole or part of the hand can also be involved. Though these deformities develop during intrauterine life, they become obvious after birth of the baby.
Causes of congenital hand deformity are not known. Some of them can happen as a hereditary problem and they are reported in the generations. However, most of the times, exact cause is unknown. All of the congenital hand anomalies develop during fourth to eighth week of intrauterine life of a fetus. Molecular disturbances in an important developmental region of the upper limb bud of a fetus, called AER (apical ectodermal ridge) is known to cause certain congenital hand anomalies. Free floating pieces of amniotic membrane are responsible for causing various types of congenital hand anomalies collectively known as congenital constriction band sequence / syndrome.
Yes, the congenital hand deformities are of multiple types. Most common of all is polydactyly (extra finger). If patient has extra little finger it is called post axial polydactyly while extra thumb is known as pre axial polydactyly. Another list of congenital hand anomalies include syndactyly (joined finger), thumb aplasia (less developed thumb), radial club hand (radially deviated hand with less developed radius bone), cleft hand (abnormal deep furrow in the middle) and congenital constriction band sequence / syndrome.
At Cutis Hospital, all the patient’s are primarily examined by our experienced and qualified plastic surgeon and thorough history of the illness/deformity is obtained. After performing physical examination of the patient, necessary investigations are carried out. A comprehensive management plan is made to correct the deformity of the child and is discussed with parents and other relatives. After all the queries regarding perioperative and post operative period is answered and investigations done, patient is posted for surgery at Cutis Hospital.
Outcome of corrective surgery for congenital hand anomalies at Cutis hospital are excellent. However, each patient is supposed to adhere to given schedule for follow up. Timely and planned follow up visits save the patient of avoidable complications and immensely help in the final outcome. However, inspire of adhering to strict follow up protocols and taking due care, complications might happen. If any sign of early complication is observed by our surgeon, parents of the child are immediately informed and counselled about the condition. In such circumstances, cooperation from the parents becomes the most important thing to effectively deal with the situation.
Usually, plastic surgery for correction of congenital hand anomalies is done after the child becomes 1 year of age. Majority of the surgeries should be completed before the child starts going to school. Delay in the operative treatment schedule can lead to significant reduction in the proposed benefit of surgery. Your plastic surgeon is the best person to guide you regarding proper timings of different types of congenital hand deformities.
We provide effective surgical and non-surgical treatments for all parts of the body. At Cutis Hospital, our cosmetic and plastic surgery team is committed to giving patients safe and high-quality care.
