gms | German Medical Science

Objectives/Interrogation: Congenital upper limb anomalies present in a wide variety of clinical pictures. Function largely depends on multiple factors including mental capacity and clinical presentation of the anomaly. Correction, in general, if indicated, is recommended during early childhood to optimize function before formal education starts and sometimes to avoid perceived decrease in function because of deformity. There have been limited reports on these conditions persisting beyond the recommended age for reconstruction. Indications for surgery on a later time have also not been explored adequately.

We aim to describe the common reasons why patients consult for late surgery and assess baseline function of the patient prior to reconstructive surgery.

Methods: We report our series of patients with congenital anomalies consulting for late surgery of congenital anomalies, on the indications and functional status prior to surgery measured as by the Filipino DASH.

Results and Conclusions: We present a series of 17 patients. The most common indication for surgery is concerns regarding work opportunities. Hope for a better function, cosmesis, social pressure and hygiene were less commonly mentioned reasons. Most of the patients did not complain of significant problems in doing activities of daily living. This is supported by their DASH scores, educational attainment and employment status prior to surgery.

The common indications to request for surgery of common congenital anomalies in later years were mostly not due to loss of function. Most patients were able to adapt well but opted to have surgery to increase opportunities for employment or less commonly in the hope of improving social relations.