Pre-operative CT angiography-guided analysis of vascular distribution in congenital syndactyly

Abstract

Objective To analyze the vascular distribution of palmar digital arteries in congenital syndactyly through CT angiography and its significance for operation design. Methods From January 2012 to May 2016, 67 cases with congenital syndactyly were divided into simple, complex and syndrome type(Poland syndrome). Preoperative angiography was performed to reconstruct 3-D distribution of digital arteries. Results 33 cases with 48 pairs simple syndactyly had relatively normal distribution and diameter of digital arteries, but the 7 case with 11 pairs complex syndactyly had only one palmar digital artery in 4 pairs, and two arteries in 4 pairs with decreased arteries diameter. 25 cases with Poland syndrome and 66 pairs of snydactyly had normal distribution of digital arteries with relatively small diameter. Conclusions Angiography is not necessary for simple type syndactyly, but should be performed in patients with III and IV Poland syndrome and complex type to analyze the vascular distribution within the syndactyly and give help for operative design. Key words: Congenital syndactyly; Classification; Surgical procedures; Computed tomography angiography