Absent Digits in the Hands or Feet

Abstract

Reduction in the normal number of digits of the hand or foot may occur as a consequence of failure of formation (agenesis) due to a definite genetic mutation or as a consequence of intrauterine amputation due to constriction by an amniotic band (Dy et al. 2014; Petit et al. 2014). Agenesis of the digits may represent a transverse terminal deficiency where fingers or toes alone are missing or the failure of formation of the digits may be part of a more extensive longitudinal deficiency; longitudinal deficiencies are far more common than transverse deficiencies (Makhoul et al. 2003). The number of missing digits does not necessarily reflect the degree of aplasia of the proximal bones (Petit et al. 2014; Del Campo et al. 1999) (Fig. 11.1). Often, more than one limb is affected, and the pattern of deficiencies may be similar in the affected limbs, or the patterns may be quite dissimilar (Ferda Percin and Yilmaz 2003).