Treatment of finger dysplasia with metacarpal base defect.

The hypoplastic finger with metacarpal base defect is a rare anomaly. Metacarpal lengthening is not a reasonable treatment option because of severe hypoplasia of the metacarpal. Complete amputation with closure of the interdigital space is effective but most parents want to save any digit of their child. We prefer to release the syndactyly and save the finger, with its shortened three phalanges, during childhood. Our parents and patients have been satisfied with the short digit. At a later age the metacarpal of the hypoplastic finger can be fused to one or the other adjacent metacarpals. Alternative methods to increase function and improve appearance are presented.