1.What is soft tissue polydactyly? When can I have surgery? A: Soft tissue polydactyly means that there is no bone or joint connection between the polydactyly and the trunk finger, but only the skin and soft tissue are connected, which is the simplest type of polydactyly and the earliest type that can be operated. However, some cases of soft tissue polydactyly may be combined with other deformities of the main finger such as scoliosis, which may require surgery after the age of one year. The same applies to polydactyly of the foot. 2.What is simple polydactyly? When can surgery be performed? Is it possible to have surgery when the baby is 3 months old? A: Simple polydactyly means that the appearance and function of the fingers are basically normal, but there is only one extra finger. It can be operated at an early age, and in hospitals with infant anesthesia, it can be operated as early as 3 months old. However, because polydactyly does not affect the trunk finger much, some doctors advocate surgery later, but preferably no later than 3 years old, so that the child can enter kindergarten after surgery. The same applies to multiple toes of the foot, but since the child will be walking after one year of age, and the brakes need to be applied for 3-4 weeks after surgery, it is not convenient for parents to take care of the child without cooperation, so it is better to operate before walking. 3.What is compound polydactyly? When is the best time to do the surgery? A: The term compound polydactyly is not commonly used clinically, and refers to completely duplicated fingers that cannot be distinguished from the primary ones. It is usually difficult to operate and requires surgery after the age of 1 year. The same applies to multiple toes of the foot. 4.What is the difference between surgery at age half and surgery at age one? A: Children half a year old have thicker subcutaneous fatty tissue, resulting in a lack of clear exposure of anatomical structures during surgery, plus weak structures such as ligaments and tendons that are not easily identified, so they are only suitable for simple polydactyly, which is the type that does not require correction of the primary finger after removal of the polydactyly. Compared to half-year-olds, 1-year-olds have significantly less subcutaneous fat, better exposure of the surgical field, and clearer structures such as ligamentous tendons. More importantly, the phalanges have some volume and can be orthopedically osteotomized and can hold a fine keratome needle (15px diameter), making it the youngest age at which multiple fingers can be removed while correcting deformities such as scoliosis of the trunk finger. 5.What are the effects of missing the best time for treatment of children with polydactyly (toe)? A: The best time to treat polydactyly is usually a time period. Regardless of the type of polydactyly, most doctors internationally currently advocate treatment before the age of 3 to facilitate the child’s attendance at kindergarten. Moreover, at the age of 3, children begin to develop a sense of self and can perceive themselves as different from others. If this period is missed, children may suffer from low self-esteem due to their own deformities. Some complex types of polydactyly may also make the deformity worse and make surgery more difficult because they are not operated on in time. The lack of timely surgery for polydactyly in the foot may affect the wearing of shoes and the formation of foot calluses, which can be painful when walking.