Polydactyly presentations: A case report

Abstract

Polydactyly is a duplication of the digits of the hands or feet. It is a congenital anomaly and can manifest as a single disorder or as a component of a syndrome. It is typically an autosomal dominant inherited condition with variable expression and incomplete penetrance. It is genetically heterogenic being caused by mutations in different genes. It manifests in different forms, based on the position of occurrence of the extra digit. It can occur as a single disorder as a component of a syndrome. Its presentation ranges from just a skin tag to a complete digit with the accompanying metatarsal or metacarpal bone. It can result in functional impairment or it may just be a cosmetically unacceptable digit with no functional impairment. Treatment depends on the nature of the extra digit as well as any functional impairment it may be causing. Surgical excision is employed and various reconstruction procedures are also employed in treatment, and must be well planned out to avoid a worsening of function. We present two cases; a 3-month-old baby girl presenting with a hereditary preaxial polydactyly (PPD) (Wassel type V) of both feet and a 29-year-old man with isolated postaxial polydactyly of the right foot with which was symptomatic.