Triphalangeal thumb with polydactyly: an alternative surgical method.

Triphalangeal thumb (TPT) is congenital hand anomaly which a thumb consists of three phalanges. Thumb appearance can differ widely; the thumb can be longer than usual or it can be deviated in the radio-ulnar plane. Thumb strength and function can be significantly diminished. The goals of surgical treatment are to reduce the elongated thumb length, establish normal thumb function, maintain a stable joint and improve thumb position if necessary. In general, surgical treatment is performed for improvement of thumb function. The case presented here had a TPT with pre-axial polydactyly. The TPT was well developed but it had no movement at the proximal or distal interphalangeal joints. The rudimentary thumb had a well-developed and functioning interphalangeal (IP) joint. So as an alternative surgical technique we planned to transfer the functioning IP joint of rudimentary thumb to the TPT.