Bilateral Postaxial Polydactyly of the Feet in an Adult: Surgical Management and Outcomes

TL;DR

This paper presents a rare case of an adult with extra toes on both feet and describes successful surgical removal and recovery.

Contribution

The paper adds to the limited literature on surgical management of rare bilateral foot polydactyly in adults.

Findings

Surgical excision of extra toes provided excellent functional and cosmetic outcomes in an adult patient.

Staged procedures using a racquet-shaped incision were effective and complication-free.

Symptom relief and improved quality of life were achieved post-surgery.

Abstract

Bilateral postaxial polydactyly of the feet is a rare congenital anomaly characterized by the presence of extra digits on the lateral aspect of both feet. While polydactyly is a relatively common limb malformation, isolated bilateral involvement of the feet, particularly type A variants with bony elements, is uncommon. We report the case of a 33-year-old male with bilateral type A postaxial polydactyly who presented with pain and shoe-wear difficulties. Radiographs confirmed the presence of small osseous fragments within the accessory digits. The patient underwent staged surgical excision, first on the right foot and subsequently on the left, using a racquet-shaped incision for complete removal of the digit and associated soft tissue. Both procedures were uneventful, and the patient achieved excellent functional recovery and cosmetically satisfactory outcomes with no postoperative complications. This case highlights the importance of individualized management of postaxial polydactyly based on morphology and symptoms. It also reinforces that, even in adulthood, surgical excision offers significant symptom relief and improvement in quality of life. Given the rarity of isolated bilateral cases, this report contributes to the limited body of literature on the surgical management and outcomes of this condition.

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