Question
Can a baby with polydactyly undergo surgery at eight months old?
Answer
The timing for treating polydactyly should be based on the type and severity of the deformity, the child’s overall health status, anesthetic safety, and parental requirements. Early surgery can accelerate finger development and reduce residual deformities. For polydactyly that significantly affects finger flexion and extension, or when the distal phalanges are fused together, surgery to separate them should be performed between 3 to 4 years old. For simple, incomplete polydactyly involving two or three fingers, surgery can be done within six months due to its simplicity and the fact that it does not require long-term fixation post-surgery.