Syndactyly refers to a congenital fusion of finger or toe digits. There are two types: cutaneous syndactyly, where the digits are fused only by the skin, similar to webbed toes, and osseous syndactyly, where the bones are additionally fused.

Syndactyly occurs during the embryonic development period, typically between the 5th and 7th week. While syndactyly of the hand should be addressed early (within the first three years of life) to allow the brain to recognize independent finger movement, syndactyly of the foot is usually considered for aesthetic correction and is often operated on during adolescence or adulthood, based on the individual’s preference.

The surgical complexity for correcting syndactyly depends on the extent of fusion and the elasticity of the skin.