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Comparison of Outcomes of Plantar vs Groin Full-Thickness Skin Graft for Correction of Congenital Syndactyly of Hand

NCT07647562 · Status: COMPLETED · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 120

Last updated 2026-06-15

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

Congenital syndactyly is a condition present at birth in which two or more fingers are joined together. Surgical correction was performed to separate the fingers, improve hand appearance, and support better hand function. After separation of the fingers, a skin graft is often needed to cover the skin defect created during surgery. Full-thickness skin grafts may be taken from different donor sites. The groin has commonly been used as a donor site, but groin skin may differ from hand skin in color and texture. The plantar area of the foot has been considered as an alternative donor site because it may provide better color and texture matching and the donor scar is usually less visible.

This randomized controlled study compared the outcomes of plantar full-thickness skin grafts with groin full-thickness skin grafts in children who underwent surgical correction for congenital simple complete syndactyly of the hand. The study was conducted in the Department of Plastic Surgery, Sheikh Zayed Hospital, Rahim Yar Khan. Children aged 1 to 10 years with congenital simple complete syndactyly who required surgical correction with skin grafting were enrolled after written informed consent was obtained from their guardians. Children with complex syndactyly, associated congenital syndromes, infections, skin diseases, previous surgery on the affected hand, or missing postoperative photographs were not included.

The participants were assigned to one of two treatment groups by sealed opaque envelopes using a lottery method. One group received a plantar full-thickness skin graft, while the other group received a groin full-thickness skin graft. All operations were performed by a consultant plastic surgeon according to standard surgical practice. Postoperative follow-up was carried out at 2 weeks, 4 weeks, and 6 weeks after surgery.

The main purpose of the study was to compare postoperative complications between the two graft methods. These complications included scar contracture, web creep, donor-site hypertrophic scarring, and delayed healing. Scar contracture referred to tightening or shrinking of the graft or surrounding tissues that could limit finger movement or cause deformity. Web creep referred to distal migration of the reconstructed web space after surgery. Donor-site complications included raised or thickened scarring and delayed wound healing. These outcomes were assessed during follow-up visits by a consultant plastic surgeon who was blinded to the treatment group.

Conditions

  • Congenital Syndactyly of Hand

Interventions

PROCEDURE

Plantar Full-Thickness Skin Graft

Syndactyly release was performed under standard surgical protocol. A full-thickness skin graft was harvested from the plantar surface of the foot and applied to the recipient defect after separation of the fused fingers.

PROCEDURE

Groin Full-Thickness Skin Graft

Syndactyly release was performed under standard surgical protocol. A full-thickness skin graft was harvested from the groin region and applied to the recipient defect after separation of the fused fingers.

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • Sheikh Zayed Medical College

    lead OTHER_GOV

Principal Investigators

  • Wardah Rehmat · Sheikh Zayed Medical college/Hospital, Rahimyar Khan

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Model
PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age
1 Year
Max Age
10 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2025-03-01
Primary Completion
2025-12-31
Completion
2025-12-31

Countries

  • Pakistan

Study Locations

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Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT07647562 on ClinicalTrials.gov