Efficacy of a Modified Bilhaut-Cloquet Procedure Using a Neurovascular Island Flap for Treatment of Radially Deviated Thumb Polydactyly With Hypoplasia.

Purpose: Baek's modified Bilhaut-Cloquet procedure is indicated for patients with symmetric bifid thumbs in Wassel type II or III polydactyly. The radially deviated type of thumb polydactyly with asymmetric bifid thumbs was previously contraindicated for this procedure. The objective of the study was to describe the results of our modified Bilhaut-Cloquet procedure using a neurovascular island flap of the radial duplicate for radially deviated type of thumb polydactyly with hypoplasia.

Methods: Twelve thumbs of 12 patients with a radially deviated type of thumb polydactyly underwent our modified Bilhaut-Cloquet procedure using a neurovascular island flap of the radial duplicate and were followed up for an average of 38.4 months. Functional and cosmetic assessments were made using the Japanese Society for Surgery of the Hand scoring system.

Results: All neurovascular island flaps survived, and the thumb size was restored close to that of the unaffected contralateral side in all cases. According to the Japanese Society for Surgery of the Hand scoring system, 8 cases achieved good results, and 4 achieved fair results. In terms of functional and aesthetic results, all cases were considered acceptable by the patient's parents.

Conclusions: Our technique using a neurovascular island flap of the radial duplicate in conjunction with the modified Bilhaut-Cloquet procedure was effective for the treatment of radially deviated type of thumb polydactyly with hypoplasia. This technique is an option for the treatment of radially deviated type of thumb polydactyly with hypoplasia.

Type of study/level of evidence: Therapeutic IV.