Comparison of functional results in surgeries for syndactyly with or without skin graft: a literature review

Abstract

Introduction: Syndactyly is a common congenital hand anomaly, in which residue of skin, tissues, and sometimes bones, connected the adjacent fingers. In many cases, a surgical correction uses skin grafts taken from, for example, arm or groin. There is a current discussion about the syndactyly corrective surgeries results with or without skin grafting. Aim: Through a literature review, provide compiled, up-to-date, easily accessible material, to support surgeons in the choice of technique to syndactyly correction, based on clinical analyzes. Results: A total of 24 articles, periodic accesses indexed in the PUBMED database, were reviewed. Conclusion: There is a tendency in literature to avoid the skin grafts use, mainly for aesthetic reasons related to irregular pigmentation, hair growth and possible graft loss due to vascular problems. Most authors prefer to correct syndactyly without graft the use, considering the promotion of a superior aesthetic and functional result, and with fewer complications when compared to the use of skin graft.