Comparing Results Of Syndactyly Operated Children Younger And Older Than 1 Year

IntroductionSyndactyly has a cosmetic, functional, and psychosocial impact, and surgical treatment is indicated in most cases. This study aimed to retrospectively identify whether patients undergoing surgical release of syndactyly younger than 1 year presented different results compared with those operated older than 1 year. MethodsPatients were assessed through photographic records by 3 independent specialist surgeons for the quality of scar, presence of web creep, rotational, flexion-extension, and lateral flexion deformities using the Withey score. ResultsThirty-four patients were included in the study, totaling 51 commissures operated. The score was higher in the group operated younger than 1 year (5.83 +/- 2.39) compared with the group older than 1 year (3.94 +/- 1.93), being statistically significant, with a P value of 0.011. ConclusionsChildren with syndactyly operated younger than 1 year have worse postoperative outcomes measured by the Withey score than those operated older than 1 year.