Syndactyly release: a comparison of skin graft versus graftless techniques in the same patient.

Syndactyly release may be done by skin graft or graftless techniques. We prospectively examined bilateral syndactyly releases in the same patient at one operation. The grafted side was randomized and the contralateral side was done graftless. Fourteen patients had surgery at a mean age of 27 months (range 7-166). The mean follow-up was 52 months (range 6-111). The mean tourniquet time was 97 minutes (range 66-135) for graft and 84 minutes (55-120) for graftless. The mean finger abduction was 57° (32°-80°) for graft and 54° (38°-80°) for graftless. The mean web creep score was 1.2 (0-3) for graft and 2.1 (0-3) for graftless. The mean scar score was 1.9 (1-3) bilaterally. The mean parents' visual analogue scale for graft cosmesis was 7.1 (5-9) and 6.2 (4.3-8) for graftless. The surgeon's visual analogue scale for graft was 7.9 (6.4-9.5) and 6.2 (4-8.7) for graftless. The therapist's visual analogue scale was 7.9 (6.5-10) and 6.4 (4.7-8) for graftless. Although there is a longer tourniquet time with grafting, there may be advantages in appearance and web creep. Level of evidence: II.