Syndactyly repair performed simultaneously with circumcision: Use of foreskin as a skin-graft donor site

Abstract

A boy who had simple syndactyly involving the third web space of the left hand presented for elective syndactyly repair. Circumcision had been delayed because of neonatal medical problems. Elective syndactyly repair and circumcision were performed in one operation at age 9 months. Penile foreskin was used as a full-thickness skin graft for the syndactyly repair. The foreskin provided a functional syndactyly repair with good aesthetic characteristics. This obviated the need for two separate operations and for an additional skin graft donor site. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case in which foreskin was used for the repair of syndactyly. In boys with syndactyly, the authors advocate that parents be informed of this reconstructive option. Should the parents consider it to be suitable, then elective circumcision should be delayed until the time of syndactyly repair so that foreskin may be used for the syndactyly repair.