Rectangular Dorsal Flap Size Investigation in Web Commissure Reconstruction of Syndactyly Surgery

Syndactyly is one of the most common congenital malformations of the hand. A reconstructive surgery would be needed to separate the digital skin, reconstruct the web space between fingers, and cover the separated digits with soft tissues. It is important to find the optimal shape and size for a dorsal flap in the web commissure reconstruction. In the current study, the effect of size of the rectangular dorsal flap for different ages has been explored numerically. It has been determined that the smaller size of the dorsal flap for the older, the stress is higher; the larger size for the young, the stress is lower. The results could be used for the hand surgeons and patients on the decision making of the size of the dorsal flap. An application software has been developed to connect input factors including the size of rectangular dorsal flaps and the age of patients with the resulting stress and strain distributions. This work sheds light on potential future clinical trials to improve the procedures.