Comparing Results of Syndactyly Operated Children Younger and Older Than 1 Year.

INTRODUCTION

Syndactyly has a cosmetic, functional, and psychosocial impact, and surgical treatment is indicated in most cases. This study aimed to retrospectively identify whether patients undergoing surgical release of syndactyly younger than 1 year presented different results compared with those operated older than 1 year.

METHODS

Patients were assessed through photographic records by 3 independent specialist surgeons for the quality of scar, presence of web creep, rotational, flexion-extension, and lateral flexion deformities using the Withey score.

RESULTS

Thirty-four patients were included in the study, totaling 51 commissures operated. The score was higher in the group operated younger than 1 year (5.83 ± 2.39) compared with the group older than 1 year (3.94 ± 1.93), being statistically significant, with a P value of 0.011.

CONCLUSIONS

Children with syndactyly operated younger than 1 year have worse postoperative outcomes measured by the Withey score than those operated older than 1 year.