Clinical efficacy of different surgical timing options in the treatment of congenital pediatric polydactyly

Abstract

Objective: To compare the clinical efficacy of different surgical timing options in the treatment of congenital pediatric polydactyly.

Methodology: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 50 children with congenital polydactyly treated surgically in Baoding Hospital, Beijing Children’s Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University from January 2020 to December 2023. According to the timing of surgery, they were divided into an early group (observation group, surgery < 3 years old) and a late group (control group, surgery >3 years old). The postoperative primary prognosis, incision healing time, clinical efficacy, satisfaction, and complications were compared between the two groups.

Results: Both groups of children achieved primary healing, with a healing rate of 100.00% in both groups (all P>0.05). The postoperative active flexion angle of the interphalangeal and metacarpophalangeal joints in the observation group was higher than that in the control group (all P<0.05). The number of positive cases in the thumb adduction test and palm opposition test one month and three months postoperatively in the observation group was significantly higher than that in the control group (all P<0.05); however, the positive rates for thumb adduction and palm opposition function reached 100.00% in both groups six months and one year postoperatively (all P>0.05).

Conclusion: Surgical intervention for congenital polydactyly in children before the age of three yields more favorable outcomes for postoperative finger shaping and functional recovery, while reducing the incidence of postoperative complications compared to surgery after the age of three.