Technique of Dorsal Transversely Oriented Transposition Flap for Web Reconstruction in Toe Syndactyly Surgery

Morphologic Changes in Postaxial Polydactyly of the Foot: A Standardized Quantitative Analysis Using the Watanabe-Fujita Classification

BACKGROUND

Postaxial polydactyly of the foot is one of the most common congenital abnormalities. A wide forefoot, short toe, and lateral joint deviation are associated with aesthetic and functional outcomes. This study used the Watanabe-Fujita classification to characterize the preoperative and postoperative skeletal morphology of postaxial polydactyly of the foot.

METHODS

This retrospective study included 42 patients (51 feet) with postaxial polydactyly treated at age 1 year. Radiographs taken at ages 0 and 3 to 4 years were used for morphologic analysis. The length of the reconstructed toe, the distance between the fourth and fifth metatarsals, and joint deviation angles were measured. The length measures were standardized using the length of the third metatarsal. Morphologic characteristics were compared based on the Watanabe-Fujita classification at ages 0 and 3 to 4 years. Long-term outcomes were also evaluated in patients followed up for longer than 6 years.

RESULTS

The fifth-ray proximal phalangeal subtype had the shortest toe length both at ages 0 and 3 to 4 years. Proximal phalangeal joint lateral deviation improved postoperatively in 78% of patients with the fifth-ray middle phalangeal subtype, regardless of reconstruction type. There was no significant change in proximal phalangeal joint deviation between ages 3 to 4 years and 7 years or older. A residual metatarsal was associated with lateral metatarsophalangeal joint deviation and a wide intermetatarsal distance, and required revision surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

Morphologic changes of postaxial polydactyly of the foot were successfully characterized using the Watanabe-Fujita classification. This classification could be useful for planning surgical strategies and anticipating morphologic outcomes.

CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic, IV.

The Double Volar Flap Technique for Aesthetic Repair of Syndactyly and Polysyndactyly of Toe without Skin Grafting

BACKGROUND

Aesthetic repair of syndactyly of the toes is desirable because patients may have psychological concerns about its appearance. There are 2 important factors for the aesthetic repair of syndactyly of the toe. One is to hide the operative scar from the visual site (dorsal site), whereas the other is to create an interdigital space close to the normal anatomical skin characteristics (2 general types of skin: glabrous and hairy).

METHODS

In total, 12 patients (4 males and 8 females) with 15 syndactylous webs were operated on by using the double volar flap technique. The following 3 local flaps were designed with this technique: an M-shaped flap designed on the dorsal side of the interdigital region (flap A) and double volar flaps (flaps B and C) designed on the volar side of the interdigital region. Flap A was used for reconstruction of the web slope, whereas flaps B and C were used for reconstruction of the proximal sidewall of toes.

RESULTS

The corrected toes showed a deep and natural interdigital commissure with no exposure of skin grafts or conspicuous scars on the dorsal visible side. The scars on the volar side were also inconspicuous.

CONCLUSIONS

The double volar flap method for repair of syndactyly and polysyndactyly of the toes has the same advantages as those of the local flap method, in addition to an optimum aesthetic result through matching with the normal anatomical skin characteristic of the interdigital space and hiding of the operative scar from the visual site.