Application of dorsal foot hexagonal flap for reconstruction of web space in fourth and fifth toe syndactyly combined with polydactyly

Abstract

To explore the application of the dorsal foot hexagonal flap for reconstruction of the web space in the fourth and fifth toe syndactyly combined with polydactyly. Between May 2016 and October 2019, 27 patients (34 feet) with the fourth and fifth toe syndactyly combined with polydactyly were treated, including 12 males and 15 females with an average age of 22.8 months (range, 10 months to 8 years). There were 7 bilateral feet and 20 unilateral foot. Twenty-four of which were incomplete and 10 were complete syndactyly of the fourth and fifth toes, and the fifth toes showed various degrees of fibular deflection. All the 34 feet were treated with one-stage reconstruction of the toe web with the dorsal foot hexagonal flap, and the correction of the fibular deviation of the fifth toe was made by removing the tibial polydactyly and using the articular surface dressing or wedge osteotomy. All wounds healed by first intention without skin-frafting. All patients were followed up 6-36 months (mean, 18 months). There was no flexion contracture and obvious scar hyperplasia in all the patients, and the width and slope of the toe webs were normal. Three of the 34 webs developed web creep, and the rest of the toe webs were normal in depth. All 34 feet were corrected with peroneal fibular deviation, and the function of toe flexion was good. All parents of the children were satisfied with the outcome. The reconstruction of toe webs with dorsal foot hexagonal flaps for the treatment of the fourth and fifth toes syndactyly combined with polydactyly requires no skin graft. The operation is simple with high survival rate of the flap, the appearance and function of the toes are good, and the effectiveness is satisfactory.