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Intra-Uterine and Juxtanatal Repair of Syndactyly in Foetal Mice

From the Departments of Anatomy, Pathology, Orthopaedic Surgery and Surgery, Divisions of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and Neurosurgery, Loma Linda University, School of Medicine, California USA

Correspondence: Kerby C. Oberg, MD, PhD, Departments of Anatomy & Surgery, Loma Linda University, 11234 Anderson Street, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA.

39 foetal mice with genetic syndactyly were identified in utero at 17 days of gestation, and the right hindfoot extruded through the uterus. The syndactylous digits were separated by simple incisions. In one group (n = 25) digit separation was maintained during wound healing by the interdigital application of a silver microclip. Digit separation was also assessed in a second group of newborn mice less than 24 hours old (juxtanatal population, n = 24). Two foetuses (5%) and six newborns (25%) developed digital necrosis following microclip application. In the remaining microchlipped animals (23 intrauterine and 10 juxtanatal), microclip application maintained digit separation, allowing wound healing to occur with epithelialization of the separated digits. No inflammation or scar formation occurred. In the third group (n = 22) without microclip application, the digital skin reapproximated and webbing recurred during wound healing.

These studies demonstrate the need to maintain digit separation during wound healing following intra-uterine or juxtanatal syndactyly repair.

Journal of Hand Surgery (British and European Volume), Vol. 20, No. 3, 319-326 (1995)
DOI: 10.1016/S0266-7681(05)80086-5


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