Syndactyly is a condition wherein two or more digits are fused together. It occurs normally in some mammals, such as the siamang and diprotodontia, but is an unusual condition in humans. The term is from Greek σύν, syn together and δάκτυλος, daktulos finger. Classification
Syndactyly can be simple or complex. In simple syndactyly, adjacent fingers or toes are joined by soft tissue. In complex syndactyly, the bones of adjacent digits are fused. The kangaroo exhibits complex syndactyly.Syndactyly can be complete or incomplete. In complete syndactyly, the skin is joined all the way to the tip of the involved digits. In incomplete syndactyly, the skin is only joined part of the distance to the tip of the involved digits.Complex syndactyly occurs as part of a syndrome (such as Apert syndrome) and typically involves more digits than simple syndactyly. Fenestrated syndactyly, also known as acrosyndactyly or terminal syndactyly, means the skin is joined for most of the digit but in a proximal area there are gaps in the syndactyly with normal skin. This type of syndactyly is found in amniotic band syndrome. Simple syndactyly can be full or partial, and is present at birth (congenital). In early human fetal development, webbing (syndactyly) of the toes and fingers is normal. At about 6 weeks of gestation, apoptosis takes place due to a protein named sonic hedgehog, also known as SHH, which dissolves the tissue between the fingers and toes, and the webbing disappears.
Skin can also be used from the back of the hand by mobilizing it (called a "graftless" syndactyly correction), which requires planning over a period of months prior to surgery. Complications
The most common problem with syndactyly correction is creeping of the skin towards the fingertip over time. This is likely due to tension at the site of the repair between the digits. Additional surgery may be required to correct this. One critique of using skin grafts is that the grafts darken in the years after surgery and become more noticeable. Also, if the skin grafts are harvested from the groin area, the skin may grow hair. Finally, the fingers may deviate after surgery. This is most commonly seen in complex syndactyly (when there has been a bone joining of the fingers). History
The earliest appreciation of syndactyly as a birth anomaly or burn-trauma can be traced back to the Andalusian Muslim surgeon Al-Zahrawi (d. 1013 CE), known in the West as Abulcasis. The French barber surgeon Ambroise Paré also described syndactyly in the sixteenth century. See also
Dactyly, the arrangement of fingers and toes in different kinds of animals
Webbed toes, the common name for syndactyly affecting the feet

References
External links

 Media related to Syndactyly at Wikimedia Commons