Surgical Treatment and Outcomes of Syndactyly: A Systematic Review.

Background

Different techniques are used to release simple and complex congenital syndactyly in order to create an adequate web space, and to separate the fingers to allow independent function.

Methods

This article is a systematic review of the literature, aiming to evaluate the evidence for the different techniques and outcome measures utilised.

Results

The studies consisted mainly of retrospective, non-controlled descriptive series and a few retrospective cohort studies. The level of evidence is predominantly poor.

Conclusions

Although recommendations in favour of any particular surgical technique cannot be given based on evidence, a number of conclusions can be drawn out of the existing literature with regards to the design of the incisions for finger separation, use of pulp flaps and grafts.