Sirenomelia: Review of a Rare Syndrome with Case Report, Review of Anatomy, and Thoughts on Management

Abstract

Background: Sirenomelia is a rare syndrome in which the infant is born with the legs fused from the pelvis to the feet. Sirenomelia is often fatal in the neonatal period because of multiple other anomalies. The feet may be absent; if present, they are often splayed outward or face backward. There are no case reports of any patient with this syndrome who has been able to walk after separation of the legs.

Methods: The authors report on their patient with sirenomelia who was born with the feet facing backward but otherwise normal-appearing hips and thighs and no other anomalies that would lead to fatality in the near future. After preoperative tissue expansion, the authors performed separation of the legs with through-knee amputations, utilizing a vascularized flap from the lower part of the legs based on the sciatic vessels for coverage of the perineum. There was no need for skin grafts or dermal matrices and the patient was referred to physical therapy after recovery from surgery in an attempt to allow her to ambulate.

Results: The patient began to ambulate on her stumps early after surgical repair and is now walking with stubby prostheses. Her other medical issues have remained stable and nonproblematic.

Conclusions: Selected patients with sirenomelia may be able to walk after separation of the legs, depending on the status of other congenital differences as well as the status of the legs when separated. Careful workup with multidisciplinary planning of overall care as well as surgical care is essential.