USE OF SILASTIC SHEET IN APERTS SYNDACTYLY

Patients with Apert's syndrome usually have severe complex syndactyly affecting both hands. Surgical separation of the distal digital bony f usion often exposes bone and cartilage which can cause problems with g raft take. A case is presented where the bare divided bone between two digits was kept apart with a silastic sheet. On its removal 4 weeks l ater, the previously bare bone was covered with a membrane. This was c overed with a full thickness skin graft with a complete graft take.