Congenital syndactyly is a condition present at birth in which two or more fingers are joined together. Surgical correction was performed to separate the fingers, improve hand appearance, and support better hand function. After separation of the fingers, a skin graft is often needed to cover the skin defect created during surgery. Full-thickness skin grafts may be taken from different donor sites. The groin has commonly been used as a donor site, but groin skin may differ from hand skin in color and texture. The plantar area of the foot has been considered as an alternative donor site because it may provide better color and texture matching and the donor scar is usually less visible.
This randomized controlled study compared the outcomes of plantar full-thickness skin grafts with groin full-thickness skin grafts in children who underwent surgical correction for congenital simple complete syndactyly of the hand. The study was conducted in the Department of Plastic Surgery, Sheikh Zayed Hospital, Rahim Yar Khan. Children aged 1 to 10 years with congenital simple complete syndactyly who required surgical correction with skin grafting were enrolled after written informed consent was obtained from their guardians. Children with complex syndactyly, associated congenital syndromes, infections, skin diseases, previous surgery on the affected hand, or missing postoperative photographs were not included.
The participants were assigned to one of two treatment groups by sealed opaque envelopes using a lottery method. One group received a plantar full-thickness skin graft, while the other group received a groin full-thickness skin graft. All operations were performed by a consultant plastic surgeon according to standard surgical practice. Postoperative follow-up was carried out at 2 weeks, 4 weeks, and 6 weeks after surgery.
The main purpose of the study was to compare postoperative complications between the two graft methods. These complications included scar contracture, web creep, donor-site hypertrophic scarring, and delayed healing. Scar contracture referred to tightening or shrinking of the graft or surrounding tissues that could limit finger movement or cause deformity. Web creep referred to distal migration of the reconstructed web space after surgery. Donor-site complications included raised or thickened scarring and delayed wound healing. These outcomes were assessed during follow-up visits by a consultant plastic surgeon who was blinded to the treatment group.