Correction of syndactyly: advantages with a non-grafting technique and the use of absorbable skin sutures.

Correction of syndactyly without skin grafts is simple and reliable. Combined with an absorbable suture technique the non-grafting method is further advantageous minimising risks and saving time and costs. Three methods are compared: skin grafts plus monofilament polyamide (Ethilon, Ethicon) (n = 32), no skin grafts plus Ethilon (n = 19), and no skin grafts plus polyglactin 910 (Vicryl rapide, Ethicon) (n = 9). The two groups in which grafting was not used had significantly shorter operations (mean 86 minutes compared with 118 minutes) and fewer complications. They also required fewer operations and spent less time in hospital.