A Case of VACTERL Association With Thumb Polydactyly Requiring Surgical Treatment

Abstract

We report a case of a rare type of polydactyly associated with VACTERL association (verebral defects, anal atresia, cardiac defects, tracheo-esophageal fistula,renal anomalies, and limb abnormalities) that was treated surgically in infancy with good results. In this case, the patient had radial and ulnar thumbs of almost equal size, and mild thumb hypoplasia. This thumb is as classified Blauth type Ⅰ thumb hypoplasia and as a type IV triphalangeal thumb in the Rotterdam classification. The radial thumb had one phalanx with no distal phalanx or nail plate, whereas the ulnar thumb had three phalanges, including a distal phalanx and nail plate. On-top plasty was performed, joining the ulnar thumb top to the radial thumb base. One year after surgery, the appearance of thumb is good, and the child can use the affected digit well in daily activities. However, flexion and extension of the interphalangeal joint of the thumb is weak. Follow-up will be continued to monitor growth of the reconstructed thumb.

Keywords

• Case report
• Surgical treatment
• Thumb polydactyly
• VACTERL association