Revision of residual deformities after operations for duplication of the thumb.

Abstract

We treated thirty-six patients (thirty-eight thumbs) who had residual deformity after ablation of a duplicated thumb. The deformities were classified into three groups: interphalangeal (eight thumbs), metacarpophalangeal (sixteen thumbs), and zigzag (fourteen thumbs). The indication for operation was primarily cosmetic; only eight patients had a functional disability, and that was mild. At the most recent follow-up, the results were rated good except for three fair results in the group that had an interphalangeal deformity, two fair results in the group that had a metacarpophalangeal deformity, and two poor and seven fair results in the group that had a zigzag deformity.