Web finger repair; Web toe repair; Syndactyly repair; Syndactyly release
Repair of webbed fingers or toes is surgery to fix webbing of the toes, fingers, or both. The middle and ring fingers or the second and third toes are most often affected.
Description
Surgery is done the following way:
- General anesthesia will be given. This means the person is asleep and unable to feel pain. Or regional anesthesia ( spinal and epidural ) is given to numb the arm and hand.
- The surgeon marks the areas of the skin that need repair.
- The skin is cut into flaps, and the soft tissues are cut to separate the fingers or toes.
- The flaps are sewn into position. If needed, skin has taken ( graft ) from other areas of the body is used to cover places that are missing skin.
- The hand or foot is then wrapped with a bulky bandage or cast so that it can’t move. This allows healing to take place.
Simple webbing of fingers or toes involves only the skin and other soft tissues. The surgery is more complicated when it involves fused bones, nerves, blood vessels, and tendons.
Why the Procedure Is Performed
This surgery is advised if the webbing causes problems with appearance, or in using the fingers or toes. Generally, the repairs are done when a child is between 6 months and 2 years old.
Risks
Risks for anesthesia and surgery in general include:
- Problems breathing
- Reactions to medicines
- Bleeding, blood clot, or infection
Other possible complications related to this surgery include the following:
- Damage from not getting enough blood in the hand or foot, due to the cast
- Loss of skin grafts
- Stiffness of theu fingers or toes
- Injuries to the blood vessels, tendons, or bones in the fingers
Call your provider if you notice the following:
- Fever
- Fingers that tingle, are numb, or have a bluish tinge
- Severe pain
- Swelling
After the Procedure
Most people stay in the hospital for 1 to 2 days.
Sometimes the cast extends beyond the fingers or toes to protect the repaired area from injury. Small children who had webbed finger repair may need a cast that reaches above the elbow.
Outlook (Prognosis)
The repair is usually successful. When joined fingers share a single fingernail, the creation of two normal-looking nails is rarely possible. One nail will look more normal than the other. Some children require a second surgery if the webbing is complicated.
The separated fingers will never look or function the same.