Repair of webbed fingers or toes

Definition

Repair of webbed fingers or toes is done by surgery. The condition can affect toes, fingers, or both. The middle and ring fingers or the second and third toes are most often affected.

Simple webbing of fingers or toes involves only the skin and other soft tissues. The condition is complicated when it involves fused bones, nerves, blood vessels, and tendons. Generally, the repairs are done between the ages of 6 months and 2 years.

Alternative Names

Description

General anesthesia is used (the patient is asleep and pain-free). 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. These 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 dressings or a cast, so that it cannot move.

How complicated the surgery is depends on whether the condition involves just skin, or whether other soft tissues and bones are involved.

Why the Procedure is Performed

This surgery is advised if the webbing causes appearance problems, or if it causes problems in using the fingers or toes.

Recovery

Hospital stays of 1-2 days are common.

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 extends above the flexed elbow.

Outlook (Prognosis)

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 how complicated the webbing is.

Risks

Risks for any anesthesia include the following:

• Reactions to medications
• Problems breathing

• Bleeding
• Infection

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

Call your doctor if you notice the following:

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