Use of a “Fast, Feed, and Wrap” Technique with Local Anesthesia for In-Office Surgical Correction of Postaxial Polydactyly Type B in Infants

Abstract

Surgical correction of postaxial polydactyly type B has several potential advantages over the traditional approach of suture ligation. Benefits include achieving more cosmetic results, reduced risk of neuroma or bothersome scar, and decreased likelihood of needing a second procedure. Previous reports with small numbers of patients have described surgical polydactyly excision using local anesthesia only, either in the operating room or office setting. We now routinely perform these removals in the office using local anesthesia combined with a fast, feed and wrap (FFW) technique to improve the comfort of the patient and parents. Details and photos of this technique are provided, and we encourage those who still perform routine suture ligation to consider this method as a simple and effective alternative.