Webbed Feet in Humans and Their Correction through Plastic Surgery

Webbed Feet in Humans and Their Correction through Plastic Surgery Introduction Webbed feet in human beings presents itself as webbed or fused toes or fingers, and is one of the most common types of birth abnormality. Also known as syndactyly, the condition occurs when the toes or fingers do not separate correctly during the foetal development of a child. Through plastic and reconstructive surgery in India, this deformity can be corrected at birth, or even later on in life.

How Is It Corrected?

According to one of the best plastic surgeon in India, who works at a hospital in Gurgaon, the surgical procedure usually occurs between the ages of 12 and 18 months before full development has happened. Although every reconstructive and cosmetic surgery is known as plastic surgery in India, the exact surgical procedure to correct webbed toes depends on the severity of the webbing and the structures it involves.

The procedure goes somewhat like this, according to the plastic surgeon in Gurgaon: 

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Once the child is unconscious, the surgeon will cut through the webbing in a zigzag manner along the midline point. Cutting the webbing in this way will help to prevent the scarring from interfering with healthy growth and development.

The surgeon will then stitch skin grafts, or transplanted pieces of healthy skin, over the top of the exposed wounds to protect them as they heal. This will also minimize scarring by reducing tension as the wound heals.

These skin grafts are usually taken from the child's inner groin area or the back of the upper arm.

The surgeon will then wrap layers of bandages around the affected area, or fix it in a cast that will cover and immobilize the corrected toes to protect them from injury as they heal.

In total, most surgeries to repair webbed digits take 2–5 hours.

Looking for plastic, cosmetic or reconstructive surgery for yourself or your loved ones? The hospital mentioned above is a super-speciality hospital located in C-1, Sushant Lok- 1, Sector43, Phase- I in Gurgaon (now Gurugram). You can book an appointment at the hospital’s website.