Repair of webbed fingers
Normal anatomy
|
The hand develops normally in the vast majority of people, resulting in five normally functioning digits.
|
Indications
|
Syndactyly is the abnormal development of the hand, such that the fingers are fused. The number of digits fused and whether or not the bones and nails of the fingers are fused is variable. Surgical repair is indicated in cases in which functional ability or cosmetic appearance is impaired.
|
Incision
|
Skin areas to be repaired are marked. The skin is incised, and the fused tissues are separated, including bone if necessary.
|
Procedure
|
Small flaps at the sides of the fingers and in the web are lifted up. These flaps are sutured into position, leaving absent areas of skin. These areas are filled in with full thickness skin grafts taken from the groin. The hand is then immobilized with bulky dressings or a cast.
|
Aftercare
|
The results of the repair are dependent on the degree of fusion of the digits. 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, depending on the complexity of the syndactyly.
Hospital stays of one or two days are common. Small children with hand syndactylies may have a cast put on that extends above the flexed elbow. Sometimes, the cast extends beyond the fingers or toes. This protects the repaired areas from trauma.
|
Review Date:9/20/2022
Reviewed By:C. Benjamin Ma, MD, Professor, Chief, Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service, UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, San Francisco, CA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Health Content Provider
06/01/2025
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, for Health Content Provider (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is an independent audit to verify that A.D.A.M. follows rigorous standards of quality and accountability. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial policy, editorial process and privacy policy. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics. This site complied with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information from 1995 to 2022, after which HON (Health On the Net, a not-for-profit organization that promoted transparent and reliable health information online) was discontinued.
The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency
or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional
should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911
for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they
do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997-2025A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
The Agency for Health Care Administration (Agency) and this website do not claim the information on, or referred to by, this site is error free. This site may include links to websites of other government agencies or private groups. Our Agency and this website do not control such sites and are not responsible for their content. Reference to or links to any other group, product, service, or information does not mean our Agency or this website approves of that group, product, service, or information.
Additionally, while health information provided through this website may be a valuable resource for the public, it is not designed to offer medical advice. Talk with your doctor about medical care questions you may have.