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A visible hand difference does not tell you which operation, if any, will improve function.

In this episode of Plastics in Practice, we review how examination guides syndactyly timing, thumb duplication reconstruction and camptodactyly treatment.

Key takeaways:
• Observe reach, grasp and thumb use, then examine the whole limb and look for associated findings.
• Describe syndactyly by the digits involved and whether the connection is soft tissue alone or includes bone.
• A longer finger joined to a shorter neighbor can become tethered during growth. The anatomy helps determine when separation is needed.
• Adjacent-web releases are generally staged to protect the intervening digit’s blood supply.
• Thumb duplication needs a plan for stability and tendon balance. Size alone does not determine which tissue is useful.
• Test passive correction in camptodactyly. Mild, flexible contractures usually begin with stretching and splinting.
• Reassess worsening contracture and functional loss. Surgery can add stiffness, and a residual bend may remain.

This content is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice.

The podcast audio is generated with Google NotebookLM using AI voices. These are synthetic discussion voices, not clinicians or accounts of their personal experience.

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#CongenitalHand #Syndactyly #ThumbDuplication #Camptodactyly #HandSurgery

References:
1. Seattle Children’s. Syndactyly. https://www.seattlechildrens.org/conditions/syndactyly/
2. Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Thumb Duplication. https://www.chop.edu/conditions-diseases/thumb-duplication
3. Boston Children’s Hospital. Camptodactyly. https://www.childrenshospital.org/sites/default/files/2022-04/camptodactyly-factsheet.pdf