Tissue expanders in syndactyly: a brief review

Tissue expansion has been advocated as a method of obtaining enough skin to correct syndactyly without using skin grafts. However, results have been disappointing, indications are unclear, and complication rates are still relatively high. We review the published cases of syndactyly treated with tissue expansion, acknowledging the lack of data and guidelines for its use in such condition. After more than 10 years since its introduction in the treatment of syndactyly, its use is still not as widespread as one would have been led to expect.