Hypospadiac or intact foreskin graft for syndactyly repair

Background/Purpose: Syndactyly is one of the most common malformations of t he hands and feet. Repair may necessitate the use of a full-thickness skin graft. The prepuce is an excellent choice for grafting because of its lack of hair, elasticity, and degree of thickness. The authors report 4 cases of syndactyly repair using foreskin for grafting. Methods: The authors reviewed 4 cases of syndactyly repaired at Children's Hospital, where foreskin was used far grafting. There was one congenital ba nd syndrome and 3 cases of simple syndactyly. Three patients had a normal p repuce and underwent simultaneous circumcision. One patient presented with coronal hypospadias and underwent simultaneous meatal advancement and glanu loplasty. Results: All patients experienced a satisfactory outcome with no graft loss and no complications. No grafts showed hair, and 3 grafts showed slight re lative hyperpigmentation. Excess foreskin was available in all cases of sim ple syndactyly. Concominant hypospadias repair did not increase the morbidi ty of the surgery. Conclusion: The intact or hypospadiac foreskin is an excel lent choice for a free graft in syndactyly repair when available. J Pediatr Surg 34:1826-18 28. Copyright (C) 1999 by W.B. Saunders Company.