Typical cleft hand is a rare disorder usually inherited in an autosomal-dominant manner. We report a case of bilateral typical cleft hand in a 6-year-old male. There was no positive family history of such presentation, and no systemic manifestations were associated with this entity. Preanesthetic evaluation revealed no systemic or airway challenges and parents were counseled for routine surgical and anesthetic risks. The hands underwent successful surgical reconstruction with no peri-operative complications. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of an operated case of an isolated, bilateral, and sporadic typical split hand malformation.
Surgical or medical co-morbidities of anesthetic or airway difficulties in patients with congenital anomalies need special consideration during corrective management, especially in the pediatric population.[
A 6-year-old male presented to the Orthopedic Outpatient Department with congenital abnormalities in both the hands and feet. He was the second of three children, born out of a nonconsanguineous marriage, delivered vaginally at full term with uneventful antenatal and perinatal course. Chief complaints of the parents pertained to the cosmetic concerns due to visible deformities. There were no skin lesions and no associated cleft lip/palate observed during a physical examination. The left hand was dominant, and there was no history of sensorineural deafness. On local examination, it was observed that there was complete obliteration of first web space in the right hand with the absence of the middle finger in both the hands. The right foot showed hypoplasia of the second toe with syndactyly between the third and fourth toes. The left foot had syndactyly between the third and fourth digits
Preoperative clinical photographs of the hand and feet; right hand showing syndactyly between the thumb and index finger; the right foot showing syndactyly between the third and fourth rays and a hypoplastic second toe; the left foot showing syndactyly between the third and fourth toes
Radiographs were obtained which showed the absence of middle finger phalanges in both the hands. In the right hand, there was a variable absence of the third metacarpal while in the left hand the third metacarpal was almost fully developed. Two small transverse bones were visible on either side of the central ray in the left hand
Preoperative radiographs of the hands; note the accessory transverse bony pieces in the cleft in the left hand (marked by arrows)
Radiographs of both feet; the hypoplastic toe in the right foot has no bony scaffold
Preanesthetic evaluation did not reveal any systemic involvement, but the patient had a Mallampatti grade II with normal neck movements and body weight of 22 kg. The patient was administered 5 mL syrup promethazine as a part of the premedication. In the operating theater, induction of anesthesia was achieved with oxygen in nitrous oxide, sevoflurane, propofol (2 mg/kg body weight), 50 μg of fentanyl, and 2.5 vecuronium bromide for facilitation of endotracheal intubation using a cuffed endotracheal tube of 5.5 mm internal diameter. The first surgical procedure lasted for 2 h, with extubation and the postoperative course uneventful. Diclofenac sodium was administered for postoperative pain relief. Surgery was performed in a staged manner with an interval of 3 weeks. The right hand underwent operation first: the central hypoplastic ray was excised, drill holes were made in the second and fourth metacarpals, and the 2 were held together using a 22-gauge stainless steel wire
Postoperative radiographs of both hands
A Z-shaped incision was made for syndactyly release. Adequate thumb abduction was achieved intraoperatively. In the left hand, central ray and transverse bony bridges were excised, and cleft closure was done. The diverging rays were held together employing a soft tissue sling functioning as the transverse metacarpal ligament. Postoperatively mobilization and strengthening exercises were instituted. Active abduction of the thumb on the right hand was especially encouraged. The patient was followed for 3 years, with a good functional and cosmetic outcome
Functional and cosmetic outcome 1 year after surgery
The literature is abundant with case reports where congenital abnormalities have always troubled surgeons and anesthesiologists whenever such patients present for surgical correction. However, in the present case, no such difficulties were encountered.
Split hand foot malformation (SHFM) involving the central rays of the extremities is usually inherited in an autosomal-dominant fashion. Various causative genes have been discovered, variable penetrance of which leads to the difference in severity of the manifestation.[
The cleft divides the hand in two separate radial and ulnar components. Sometimes a transverse bar of bone may be present at the base of the cleft, but multiple fragments were encountered in the present case. Syndactyly (most commonly thumb-index finger, as in the present case) and polydactyly are not uncommon associated findings. Contraction of the first web space and limitation of thumb adduction is the main functional handicap encountered in such cases, based on which Manske and Halikis devised a severity classification.[
Numerous clinical associations of SHFM have been documented; cleft lip/palate seems to be a consistent accompanying manifestation. Such manifestations pose airway difficulties which can lead to a potential higher morbidity and mortality. The constellation of findings most commonly reported is ectrodactyly ectodermal dysplasia cleft lip/palate syndrome-ectrodactyly (SHFM), ectodermal dysplasia (coarse dry skin, glandular abnormalities), and cleft lip/palate. In the present case, a thorough search was made for associated systemic anomalies, but fortunately none were observed. Sporadic, isolated, bilateral typical cleft hand as reported above is indeed a rare entity.
Clinical diagnosis of SHFM is quite straightforward. Although there is no evidence in the literature regarding differences in outcome for patients presenting as syndromic cases or in isolation, the associated anomalies should be actively sought and treated accordingly. Radiographic examination of the bilateral hands, feet and skull should be carried out. In our opinion skin, biopsy is not a useful tool even if manifestations of ectodermal dysplasia are absent, as done by some authors.[
Basic treatment goals are cleft closure for cosmetic reasons, syndactyly release, and restoration of the first web space for function. Mild cases are causing little functional impairment can be left untreated. Other issues that need attention in the treatment protocol are the cosmetic appearance of the limb and the overall psychology of the child. The ideal time for scheduling corrective surgery is at 18 months of age. The advantages of early surgery seem to be a correction of the deformity before the development of refined motor skills and the prevention of negative psychological effects on the child. In developing countries, this may be problematic due to the absence of a well-organized referral system. In the present case surgical intervention was undertaken at 6 years of age, albeit with a good outcome.
The cleft closure is achieved by excision of excess tissue including the third metacarpal and transverse bone bar if present. To hold the diverging metacarpals together, numerous techniques have been employed, such as heavy chromic catgut sutures or stainless steel wires, the latter done in the present case.[
Typical and atypical cleft hand deformities occur with varying degrees of severity. Children learn to adapt from an early age and frequently develop remarkable functionality. If surgery is to be done, it should be planned carefully for each patient. The aim of surgery in these cases is mostly cosmetic. Any surgical procedure done should not jeopardize existing functions of the hand.
Nil.
None declared.