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Repair of webbed fingers or toes |
| Definition: |
| Corrective or reconstructive surgery to repair webbed fingers or toes (syndactyly). The long 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 to 2 years. |
| Alternative Names: |
| Web finger repair; Web toe repair; Syndactyly repair |
| Description: |
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General anesthesia is used. Skin areas to be repaired are marked. The skin is incised, and 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 may be filled in with full thickness skin grafts taken from the skin in the groin area. The hand is then immobilized with bulky dressings or a cast. |
| Indications: |
| This surgery is advised for syndactyly in which functional ability or cosmetic appearance is impaired. |
| Risks: |
Risks for any anesthesia are:
Costs: The costs of any surgery varies significantly between surgeons, medical facilities, and regions of the country. Patients who need more extensive surgery will require more intensive and expensive treatment. Surgery charges can be separated into five parts: 1) the surgeon's fee, 2) the anesthesiologist's fee, 3) the hospital charges, which includes nursing care and the operating room, 4) the medications, and 5) additional charges. 1. Surgeon's fee: averages $700 to $1,500 2. Anesthesiologist's fee: averages $350 to $400 per hour 3. Hospital charges: basic rate averages $1,500 to $1,800 per day (more for the intensive care unit (ICU) or private rooms) 4. Medication charges: $200 to $400 5. Additional charges: assisting surgeon, treatment of complications, diagnostic procedures (such as blood or X-ray exams), medical supplies, or equipment use. Insurance coverage for surgery expenses depends on many factors and should be explored for each individual instance. |
| Expectations after surgery: |
| 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, depending on the complexity of the syndactyly. |
| Convalescence: |
| Hospital stays of 1 or 2 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. |
Reviewed By: Kevin B. Freedman, M.D., Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Rush-Presbyterian Medical Center, Chicago, IL. Review provided by VeriMed Health Network.
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