Syndactyly
Description
Complete, likely simple, syndactyly involving right long and ring fingers.
Work-up
History
Patient′s current hand function
Symmetric/asymmetric use of hands.
Grasping style.
Known medical comorbidities.
Family history of syndactyly or other associated condition (autosomal dominant or sporadic).
Difficulties during pregnancy.
Physical examination
Perform full body examination.
Other congenital anomalies may have not yet been diagnosed. Consider syndromic etiology if appropriate.
Evaluate feet to rule out additional digits with syndactyly.
Perform complete hand evaluation.
Assess for extent and location of webbing, as well as for the number of digits involved.
Assess for polydactyly.
Evaluate for digital deviation in the radial or ulnar plane (clinodactyly).
Examine contralateral hand for comparison.
Thoroughly evaluate entire upper extremity.
Classification
Simple/complex
Simple syndactyly: Finger fusion only by a skin bridge.
Complex syndactyly: Finger fusion involving bone connection.
Complete/incomplete
Complete syndactyly: Fusion involves entire length of the finger to distal tip, including nail fold.
Incomplete syndactyly: Fusion does not involve nail fold, but web depth is distal to normal position.
Complicated: Includes polydactyly.