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FREE SURGEY FOR A 05-YEAR-OLD PEDIATRIC PATIENT WITH POLYDACTYLY OF THE HAND

FREE SURGEY FOR A 05-YEAR-OLD PEDIATRIC PATIENT WITH POLYDACTYLY OF THE HAND

26/08/2025

Over the past period, American International Hospital (AIH), together with Prof. Dr. René D. Esser – a leading orthopedic surgeon with many years of international experience – has successfully treated numerous cases of congenital birth defects in children. With his professional guidance, a team of experienced surgeons works closely with the pediatric anesthesia team, maximizing the advantages of modern equipment systems. As a result, surgical cases not only achieve optimal results in functional recovery but also ensure aesthetic factors, providing children with the opportunity to develop healthily, confidently, and more.

Patient P.T.D (5 years old, Dong Nai), since birth, has had a congenital anomaly with an extra finger on the right hand and a thumb that is bent to one side. This anomaly was not detected during prenatal ultrasound; it was only when the baby was born that the family was shocked to realize it.

At AIH, after being examined by Prof. Dr. René D. Esser, X-ray results showed that the extra digit was close to the thumb, and the thumb was bent and misaligned due to abnormal bone structure. Based on this diagnosis, Prof. René prescribed orthopedic surgery with two objectives: to remove the extra digit and to correct the thumb’s axis, thereby restoring both motor function and aesthetic appearance to the hand.

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The surgery was performed under specialized pediatric anesthesia, ensuring maximum safety through close coordination between the pediatric anesthesia team and the surgical team. Prof. Dr. René D. Esser precisely performed the excision of the supernumerary digit, ensuring no damage to surrounding tendons, blood vessels, or nerves. Concurrently, the axially deviated thumb was thoroughly addressed using osteotomy techniques, to straighten the finger, improving both aesthetics and grasping function.

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After the surgery, patient P.T.D recovered quickly, experienced little pain, and was able to gently move their hand just a few days later. At the follow-up examination after 2 weeks, the child had their cast removed and showed positive results, with the finger straightened and hand function gradually recovering

Ms. T.T.K.H (39 years old), mother of P.T.D, emotionally shared: ‘When we learned our child had a birth defect, our whole family was extremely worried. We had taken our child to Nhi Dong Hospital for examination, but at that time, the child was too young for surgery. Fortunately, through a stroke of luck, we learned about American International Hospital (AIH) and received free surgical support from Prof. Dr. René and his team. This is truly a great happiness for our family.

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Polydactyly – Benign but with many consequences

Polydactyly is one of the most common congenital anomalies in children, with an incidence of approximately 1/500 – 1/1,000 live births. This anomaly can occur at any position on the hand or foot, with the thumb and little finger being the most common.

While polydactyly is a benign congenital anomaly, especially on the thumb, significantly impacts a child’s grasping function – a crucial motor skill. If left untreated:

  • Children are at risk of experiencing difficulties in daily activities, particularly those involving holding, grasping, and writing.

  • A deformed hand can lead to feelings of self-consciousness and inferiority in children, affecting their psychological well-being and social development.

  • In the long term, an axially deviated finger can cause bone deformities, joint misalignment, and is a risk factor for other musculoskeletal conditions.

Therefore, early orthopedic surgery from infancy is the optimal solution, helping to restore both function and aesthetics, creating a foundation for comprehensive development.

According to Prof. Dr. René D. Esser: Not all birth defects require immediate surgery. The most important thing is to choose the right time for intervention, neither too early nor too late, to achieve the best results. In cases of polydactyly of the thumb, timely surgery will help the child’s hand develop flexible function and a more aesthetic shape. Before each surgery at AIH, children are thoroughly examined and evaluated for anesthesia to ensure the surgery is performed under the safest conditions, while maximally protecting the child's health and recovery.

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Ensuring maximum safety for each pediatric surgery at AIH

Surgery in children, especially newborns and infants, always presents numerous challenges, among which anesthesia plays a essential role. At AIH, the Pediatric Anesthesiology Department collaborates closely with Pediatric Surgery, equipped with modern apparatus and a team of experienced doctors, ensuring maximum safety for pediatric surgical cases.

Specifically, the free surgery for P.T.D not only provided the child with the opportunity to have healthy, functional hands but also demonstrated AIH’s humanitarian spirit. Together with Prof. Dr. René D. Esser, the hospital accompanies the community, creating opportunities for disadvantaged children to access high-quality medical services, helping them grow up healthy, confident, and happy. Through this, AIH affirms its mission of healthcare intertwined with sharing and social responsibility.

Specializing in difficult – complex treatment areas

With over 43 years of dedication in the field of Orthopedics & Traumatology, Prof. Dr. René D. Esser is regarded by experts as having “golden hands,” contributing to the “rebirth” of life for thousands of patients, from congenital deformities in children to severe injuries in adults.

Prof. Dr. René D. Esser is one of the very few orthopedic surgeons in Vietnam today who can directly treat rare and complex conditions, including:

  • Pediatric orthopedic surgery for congenital deformities

  • Joint replacement surgery (hip, knee, shoulder, elbow, wrist, ankle, etc.)

  • Limb lengthening and bone reconstruction surgery

  • Sports medicine and surgery for related injuries

  • Traumatology and general orthopedic surgery

Regarding his experience in treating clubfoot deformities, Prof. Dr. René D. Esser has successfully performed over 500 cases both domestically and internationally. More than 300 of these cases have been reported in the prestigious American journal Clinical Orthopedics and Related Research.

Currently, Prof. Dr. René D. Esser directly consults and performs surgery at American International Hospital (AIH). 

To register for examination and treatment with Prof. Dr. René D. Esser, kindly contact the hotline (028) 3910 9999 or inbox the Fanpage https://m.me/aih.com.vn.

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AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL HOSPITAL (AIH):
☎ Hotline: (028) 3910 9999
🌏 Website: www.aih.com.vn
📍Address: (Entrance from 199 Nguyen Hoang Street) No.6, Bac Nam 3 Street, Binh Trung Ward, Ho Chi Minh
  • by Admin AIH
  • In Tin tức & Sự kiện

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