Repair of Webbed Fingers or Toes
Alternate Names : Syndactyly Repair, Web Finger Repair, Web Toe Repair
Definition
The repair of webbed fingers or toes is corrective or reconstructive surgery to repair syndactyly, which can affect toes, fingers, or both. The middle and ring fingers or the second and third toes are most often affected.
Simple syndactyly involves only the skin and other soft tissues. Complex syndactyly involves fused bones, nerves, blood vessels, and tendons. Generally, syndactyly repairs are done between the ages of 6 months and 2 years.
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Overview & Description
General anesthesia is used. Skin areas to be repaired are marked. The skin is cut, and small flaps at the sides of the fingers or toes and in the web are lifted up. These flaps are sewn into position, leaving absent areas of skin. These areas may be filled in with full-thickness skin grafts taken from the skin in the groin area, if necessary. The hand or foot is then immobilized with bulky dressings or a cast.
The complextiy of the surgery depends on whether the condition involves just skin, or whether other soft tissues and bones are involved.
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