Upper Limb Dimelia

• Published in: The Journal of hand surgery (American ed.) Vol. 42; no. 7; pp. 575.e1 - 575.e5
• Main Authors: Takagi, Takehiko, MD, PhD, Nojiri, Ayano, MD, Seki, Atsuhito, MD, PhD, Takayama, Shinichiro, MD, PhD, Watanabe, Masahiko, MD, PhD
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.07.2017
• Subjects: amniotic constriction; congenital anomaly; duplication; epidermoid cyst; Humans; Infant; Male; Orthopedics; Upper Extremity Deformities, Congenital - diagnostic imaging; Upper Extremity Deformities, Congenital - pathology; Upper Extremity Deformities, Congenital - surgery; Upper limb dimelia; Upper limb dimelia; epidermoid cyst; amniotic constriction; congenital anomaly; duplication
• ISSN: 0363-5023; 1531-6564
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jhsa.2017.02.005

A patient with upper limb dimelia including a double scapula, humerus, radius, and ulna, 11 metacarpals and digits (5 on the superior side, 6 on the inferior side) was treated with a simple amputation of the inferior limb resulting in cosmetic improvement and maintenance of range of motion in the preserved limb. During the amputation, the 2 limbs were found to be anatomically separate except for the ulnar nerve, which, in the superior limb, bifurcated into the sensory branch of radial nerve in the inferior limb, and the brachial artery, which bifurcated into the radial artery. Each case of this rare anomaly requires its own individually carefully planned surgical procedure.