Health Encyclopedia

Repair of webbed fingers or toes

Definition

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.

Alternative Names

Web finger repair; Web toe repair; Syndactyly repair

Description

General anesthesia (the patient is asleep and pain-free) is used. Doctors mark the skin areas that need repair.

The skin is cut. Small flaps in the web, and at the sides of the fingers or toes, are lifted up. The flaps are sewn into position, leaving missing areas of skin. These areas may be filled in with skin taken from the groin area, if necessary. The hand or foot is then wrapped with a bulky dressing or cast so that it cannot move.

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.

Indications

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 any anesthesia include the following:

Problems breathing
Reactions to medications

Risks for any surgery include the following:

Bleeding
Infection

Other possible complications include the following:

Damage from not getting enough blood in the hand or foot, due to the cast
Loss of skin grafts

Call your doctor if you notice the following:

Fever
Fingers that tingle, are numb, or have a bluish tinge
Severe pain
Swelling

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 if the webbing is complicated.

Convalescence

Most people stay in the hospital for 1 - 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.

Review Date:7/17/2008
Reviewed By:Andrew L Chen, MD, MS, Orthopedist, The Alpine Clinic, Littleton, NH. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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