Evaluation of a uniform operative technique to treat syndactyly

Twenty-two patients with upper extremity syndactyly (58 webs) have been treated in the last decade (1976 to 1985) by one hand surgeon using one technique. Nineteen patients had syndrome complexes or other associated anomalies that made treatment more difficult. The postoperative follow-up averaged 4 years. The rate of complications that necessitated repeat operations (5% of the treated webs) was relatively low in comparison with those in other series. We attribute this to better timing of the procedure and progressive experience gained by one surgeon using the same procedure.