Modified Three-Square-Flap for Moderate to Minor Syndactyly

Seo, Byung Chul; Oh, Deuk Young; Lee, Paik Kwon; Rhie, Jong Won; Ahn, Sang Tae

Abstract

PURPOSE: The main goals of correcting syndactyly of the hand are to form normal web appearance and to prevent motor dysfunction. We modified the original three-square-flap to improve interdigital web space and to reduce the wound healing problem due to tension.
METHODS
From July 2005 to February 2006, three cases of moderate to minor syndactyly were treated using modified three-square-flap. These flaps were made in such as way that the A flap from dorsal side, the B flap from the interdigital surface, and the C flap from the volar side. We modified the design of dorsal A flap as a hourglass shape instead of square shape to make normal hourglass shaped interdigital web and to reduce the tension of closure with other two flaps(B and C flap). The B and C flap were made as square shape.
RESULTS
During 4 to 10 months follow-up period, acceptable esthetic results were obtained without any specific complication, using our modification of the three-square-flap.
CONCLUSION
Our method showed more satisfactory web appearance and was safe to use even in the cases of syndactyly secondary to burns and post- traumatic scars because of excellent blood circulation.