Background: Methotrexate (MTX) is widely used as an immunosuppressant, chemotherapeutic, and abortifacient agent. It is also a potent teratogen, and intentional or unintentional exposure during pregnancy is associated with heterogeneous birth anomalies. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed a cohort of patients who presented to our clinic with limb anomalies in the setting of MTX embryopathy. Results: In our case series, we describe 7 cases of patients who had limb anomalies with heterogeneous functionality, from severely debilitating to completely asymptomatic. Most of the upper extremity anomalies in our group were managed conservatively. Conclusions: Methotrexate embryopathy is a rare but clinically important entity with phenotypic and functional variability. This series underscores the need for proper counseling of patients and raises concern regarding using this medication for the purpose of abortion.

Background: Patients born with a cleft lip and palate undergo multiple surgical procedures, increasing the infants’ exposure to anesthesia and potential risk of neurocognitive delays. In addition, these numerous procedures lead to greater use of hospital resources. This study analyzes the differences in anesthetic exposure and perioperative characteristics between performing combined versus separate primary palatoplasty (PP) and placement of bilateral myringotomy tubes (BMT). Methods: We reviewed patients younger than 2 years who underwent PP and BMT at our institution from June 2014 to January 2019. Patients who underwent PP and BMT during the same admission (combined group = 74) and during separate admissions (separate group = 26) were studied. Due to the small sample size in the separate group, additional data for this group were gathered by propensity score matching by gender, race, and American Society of Anesthesiology class. Statistical analyses were carried out to identify significant differences between the 2 groups. Linear regression was performed to compare perioperative variables. Results: One hundred patients met the inclusion criteria. There were no significant differences in demographic characteristics or American Society of Anesthesiology class, surgery and anesthesia duration, dosage of intraoperative dexmedetomidine, hospital length of stay, and perioperative complications ( P > 0.05). Per contra, combined group had significantly lower intraoperative dosages of fentanyl ( P = 0.01) and shorter postoperative care unit stay ( P = 0.047). Conclusions: This study documents decreased postoperative care unit time and anesthesia drug exposure without increased length of stay or perioperative complications in patients undergoing combined PP and BMT. These results support combining PP and BMT to reduce exposure to potentially neurotoxic medications and to increase efficient utilization of hospital resources.

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Digital extensor hypoplasia (DEH) is a rare malformation that presents with loss of active finger extension at the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints. Descriptions of optimal treatment and outcomes in this population are sparse. We describe successful operative treatment of a child with DEH involving the extensor digitorum communis, extensor digiti minimi, and the extensor indicis proprius tendons. The 5-year-old male patient was referred for severe limitation on bilateral finger extension since birth. He had been previously diagnosed with arthrogryposis and managed conservatively. Due to lack of improvement, magnetic resonance imaging was done evidencing hypoplasia/aplasia of the extensor tendons. The patient underwent successful tendon transfers using extensor carpi radialis longus to the common extensor tendons, and one hand required an additional tenolysis procedure. 2 years postoperatively, his MCP position and finger extension are markedly improved, and he is able to grip objects without limitation or difficulty. The patient returned to full activity without restriction.