Intermediate
Technical
IVT
polydactyly
Pronunciation: pol-ee-DAK-tih-lee
Congenital condition characterized by the presence of extra fingers or toes.
Full Definition
A common congenital hand anomaly involving supernumerary digits, classified as preaxial (radial/thumb side), central, or postaxial (ulnar/small finger side). Treatment typically involves surgical excision of the extra digit with reconstruction of the remaining digit if necessary. The timing and complexity of surgery depend on the type and location of the extra digit and its functional impact.
Usage
Usage note: Specify location (preaxial, central, or postaxial) and complexity when documenting cases.
In Context
- "Postaxial polydactyly was treated with simple excision and soft tissue reconstruction." — Operative report
- "Complex preaxial polydactyly required reconstruction of the thumb after excision of the duplicate digit." — Pediatric hand surgery note
Also known as
supernumerary digits
extra fingers
Contrasted with
oligodactyly
Don't confuse with
syndactyly
macrodactyly