title: A comparative review of three techniques of syndactyly release.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the outcome of three techniques of congenital syndactyly release; to identify factors leading to difference in outcome, and to identify the incidence of neurovascular abnormalities in various types of syndactyly.
  
  
  METHODS
  The chart review was conducted at The Indus Hospital, Karachi, and comprised data of all patients who had undergone syndactyly release between August 2008 and December 2014. Three techniques of release were included as described in literature by Bauer, Skoog and Niranjan. The data was collected through Health Management Information System. A detailed questionnaire was designed to address variables of interest.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The age of the 29 patients with 50 webs in the study ranged from 2.2 to 17.1 years. The male to female ratio was 21:8. The complications encountered were web creep, skin flap necrosis, flexion deformity and contracture of joint. Single neurovascular bundle was found in 04(8%)webs and 45(90%) required skin graft for resurfacing of the digits.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Bauer technique was found to be to be superior for web formation and there was low incidence of web creep compared to Skoog technique. Inclusion of syndromic cases may lead to increased complication and dissatisfaction rate. Tight closure of flaps should be avoided and generous use of skin grafts is advocated for success.
authors.affiliation: Consultant Plastic Surgeon, The Indus Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Sadaf
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Saeed
authors.affiliation: Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, The Indus Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Syed Kamran
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Ahmed
authors.affiliation: Orthopaedics and Trauma, The Indus Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Muhammad Amin
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Chinoy
authors.affiliation: Orthopaedics and Trauma, The Indus Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Mansoor Ali
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Khan
keywords: Syndactyly release, Graftless techniques for syndactyly, Syndactyly release techniques.