{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,24]],"date-time":"2026-06-24T01:47:21Z","timestamp":1782265641695,"version":"3.54.5"},"reference-count":31,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"12","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,21]],"date-time":"2026-06-21T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1782000000000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["JCM"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Background and Objectives: Syndactyly is a common congenital hand anomaly that may affect hand appearance, function, and psychosocial well-being. This study aimed to evaluate long-term patient-centered outcomes after congenital syndactyly reconstruction, including aesthetic, functional, and psychosocial domains. Methods: This retrospective study included 53 patients with 90 reconstructed web spaces. Aesthetic outcomes were assessed using the Withey score, functional outcomes using the QuickDASH questionnaire, and psychosocial outcomes using an exploratory patient-centered survey developed by the authors. Results: The median follow-up duration was 10 years. The median outcome scores suggested generally favorable long-term results, with a Withey score of 2, a QuickDASH score of 14, and a psychosocial survey score of 29, all within the favorable range of their respective scales. Poorer aesthetic outcomes were observed in patients with complicated syndactyly, those who underwent surgery between 1 and 5 years of age, and those who underwent multiple surgeries. Female sex was associated with poorer functional and psychosocial scores. Complicated syndactyly was associated with less favorable outcomes across all domains. The psychosocial survey demonstrated high internal consistency and significant correlations with both functional and aesthetic outcomes. Conclusions: Congenital syndactyly reconstruction was associated with generally favorable long-term patient-centered outcomes. Less favorable results were observed particularly in patients with complicated syndactyly, while age- and surgery-related associations should be interpreted cautiously because of the retrospective design. These findings support the importance of individualized counseling and long-term assessment that includes aesthetic, functional, and psychosocial dimensions.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/jcm15124815","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,24]],"date-time":"2026-06-24T01:03:23Z","timestamp":1782263003000},"page":"4815","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Long-Term Patient-Centered Outcomes After Congenital Syndactyly Reconstruction: Aesthetic, Functional, and Psychosocial Assessment"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"15","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-8796-4133","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Zeynel Mert","family":"Asfuro\u011flu","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Division of Hand Surgery, Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, School of Medicine, University of Mersin, 33110 Mersin, Turkey"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-2907-7832","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Bengisu","family":"\u00d6z\u00e7ivit Asfuro\u011flu","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Mersin City Training and Research Hospital, 33240 Mersin, Turkey"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0009-9367-2634","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Elyesa","family":"Ergen","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Division of Hand Surgery, Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, School of Medicine, University of Mersin, 33110 Mersin, Turkey"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0009-5313-4102","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Emre","family":"\u00d6zt\u00fcrk","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Division of Hand Surgery, Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, School of Medicine, University of Mersin, 33110 Mersin, Turkey"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-1725-5256","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Ender","family":"G\u00fcm\u00fc\u015fo\u011flu","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Division of Hand Surgery, Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, School of Medicine, University of Mersin, 33110 Mersin, Turkey"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-6945-0681","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Metin Manouchehr","family":"Eskandari","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Division of Hand Surgery, Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, School of Medicine, University of Mersin, 33110 Mersin, Turkey"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,21]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"357","DOI":"10.1002\/ajmg.1320050406","article-title":"Syndactyly: Frequency of specific types","volume":"5","author":"Castilla","year":"1980","journal-title":"Am. J. Med. Genet."},{"key":"ref_2","first-page":"3","article-title":"The Operative Incidence of Syndactyly in Northern Ireland. A 10-Year Review","volume":"90","author":"McGarry","year":"2021","journal-title":"Ulst. Med. J."},{"key":"ref_3","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"8","DOI":"10.1016\/S0363-5023(76)80021-4","article-title":"A classification for congenital limb malformations","volume":"1","author":"Swanson","year":"1976","journal-title":"J. Hand Surg. Am."},{"key":"ref_4","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"2066","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jhsa.2010.09.031","article-title":"Developmental biology and classification of congenital anomalies of the hand and upper extremity","volume":"35","author":"Oberg","year":"2010","journal-title":"J. Hand Surg. Am."},{"key":"ref_5","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"817","DOI":"10.1038\/ejhg.2012.14","article-title":"Syndactyly: Phenotypes, genetics and current classification","volume":"20","author":"Malik","year":"2012","journal-title":"Eur. J. Hum. Genet."},{"key":"ref_6","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"617","DOI":"10.1177\/17531934231213516","article-title":"Clinical and operative risk factors for complications after Apert hand syndactyly reconstruction","volume":"49","author":"Cordray","year":"2024","journal-title":"J. Hand Surg. Eur. Vol."},{"key":"ref_7","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"302","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jos.2024.04.007","article-title":"Webplasty using an external fixator for complex syndactyly caused by Apert syndrome","volume":"30","author":"Kinoda","year":"2025","journal-title":"J. Orthop. Sci."},{"key":"ref_8","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1067","DOI":"10.1097\/PRS.0000000000001047","article-title":"Coping with congenital hand differences","volume":"135","author":"Franzblau","year":"2015","journal-title":"Plast. Reconstr. Surg."},{"key":"ref_9","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"391","DOI":"10.1177\/1753193420967527","article-title":"The psychosocial impact of congenital hand and upper limb differences on children: A qualitative study","volume":"46","author":"McDougall","year":"2021","journal-title":"J. Hand Surg. Eur. Vol."},{"key":"ref_10","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"523","DOI":"10.1177\/15589447241279456","article-title":"Comparison Between Surgical Techniques for Correction of Congenital Syndactyly: A Systematic Review and Meta Analysis","volume":"20","author":"Schirlo","year":"2024","journal-title":"Hand"},{"key":"ref_11","first-page":"e36118","article-title":"Syndactyly in the pediatric population: A review of the literature","volume":"15","author":"Mahindroo","year":"2023","journal-title":"Cureus"},{"key":"ref_12","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.1142\/S2424835520300017","article-title":"Surgical treatment and outcomes of syndactyly: A systematic review","volume":"25","author":"Mende","year":"2020","journal-title":"J. Hand Surg. Asian Pac. Vol."},{"key":"ref_13","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"795","DOI":"10.1177\/1753193411412869","article-title":"Children with surgically corrected hand deformities and upper limb deficiencies: Self-concept and psychological well-being","volume":"36","author":"Andersson","year":"2011","journal-title":"J. Hand Surg. Eur. Vol."},{"key":"ref_14","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"e552","DOI":"10.1097\/GOX.0000000000000550","article-title":"The importance of hand appearance as a patient-reported outcome in hand surgery","volume":"3","author":"Johnson","year":"2015","journal-title":"Plast. Reconstr. Surg. Glob. Open"},{"key":"ref_15","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"434","DOI":"10.1177\/1457496920903987","article-title":"Appearance of congenital hand anomalies","volume":"110","author":"Nietosvaara","year":"2021","journal-title":"Scand. J. Surg."},{"key":"ref_16","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"4","DOI":"10.1054\/jhsb.2000.0575","article-title":"The open finger technique for the release of syndactyly","volume":"26","author":"Withey","year":"2001","journal-title":"J. Hand Surg. Br."},{"key":"ref_17","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Gummesson, C., Ward, M.M., and Atroshi, I. (2006). The shortened disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand questionnaire (Quick-DASH): Validity and reliability based on responses within the full-length DASH. BMC Musculoskelet. Disord., 7.","DOI":"10.1186\/1471-2474-7-44"},{"key":"ref_18","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"603","DOI":"10.1097\/BPB.0000000000000983","article-title":"Reliability and validity of Vancouver Scar Scale and Withey score after syndactyly release","volume":"31","author":"Kim","year":"2022","journal-title":"J. Pediatr. Orthop. B"},{"key":"ref_19","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1323","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jhsa.2010.04.033","article-title":"Long-term outcomes of web creep, scar quality, and function after simple syndactyly surgical treatment","volume":"35","author":"Lumenta","year":"2010","journal-title":"J. Hand Surg. Am."},{"key":"ref_20","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1215","DOI":"10.1097\/PRS.0000000000006743","article-title":"Patient-Reported Outcomes after Syndactyly Reconstruction","volume":"145","author":"Park","year":"2020","journal-title":"Plast. Reconstr. Surg."},{"key":"ref_21","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"2068","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jhsa.2012.06.033","article-title":"Complex syndactyly: Aesthetic and objective outcomes","volume":"37","author":"Goldfarb","year":"2012","journal-title":"J. Hand Surg. Am."},{"key":"ref_22","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"635","DOI":"10.1097\/SAP.0000000000002773","article-title":"Comparing Results of Syndactyly Operated Children Younger and Older Than 1 Year","volume":"86","author":"Kurebayashi","year":"2021","journal-title":"Ann. Plast. Surg."},{"key":"ref_23","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"838","DOI":"10.1097\/BPO.0b013e3182a00688","article-title":"Internal consistency and validity of the QuickDASH instrument for upper extremity injuries in older children","volume":"33","author":"Gupta","year":"2013","journal-title":"J. Pediatr. Orthop."},{"key":"ref_24","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"192","DOI":"10.2340\/17453674.2024.40181","article-title":"The construct validity and internal consistency of QuickDASH in pediatric patients with upper extremity fractures","volume":"95","author":"Hulkkonen","year":"2024","journal-title":"Acta Orthop."},{"key":"ref_25","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"315","DOI":"10.1177\/1753193415613724","article-title":"Long-term results of syndactyly correction by the trilobed flap technique focusing on hand function and quality of life","volume":"41","author":"Widerberg","year":"2016","journal-title":"J. Hand Surg. Eur. Vol."},{"key":"ref_26","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"2309499020970656","DOI":"10.1177\/2309499020970656","article-title":"The Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (QuickDASH) scores in 961 Japanese volunteers","volume":"28","author":"Hosokawa","year":"2020","journal-title":"J. Orthop. Surg."},{"key":"ref_27","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Gellman, M.D., and Turner, J.R. (2013). Psychosocial impact. Encyclopedia of Behavioral Medicine, Springer.","DOI":"10.1007\/978-1-4419-1005-9"},{"key":"ref_28","first-page":"751","article-title":"Perceptions of finger-amputated hand appearance and its effects on social life from the perspectives of affected and unaffected individuals","volume":"6","author":"Eskandari","year":"2023","journal-title":"J. Health Sci. Med."},{"key":"ref_29","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1537","DOI":"10.2106\/JBJS.22.01323","article-title":"Congenital Upper-Limb Differences: A 6-Year Literature Review","volume":"105","author":"Shah","year":"2023","journal-title":"J. Bone Jt. Surg. Am."},{"key":"ref_30","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"321","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jhsa.2017.10.006","article-title":"Functional Impact of Congenital Hand Differences: Early Results From the Congenital Upper Limb Differences (CoULD) Registry","volume":"43","author":"Bae","year":"2018","journal-title":"J. Hand Surg. Am."},{"key":"ref_31","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Gualdi-Russo, E., Rinaldo, N., Masotti, S., Bramanti, B., and Zaccagni, L. (2022). Sex Differences in Body Image Perception and Ideals: Analysis of Possible Determinants. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, 19.","DOI":"10.3390\/ijerph19052745"}],"container-title":["Journal of Clinical Medicine"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2077-0383\/15\/12\/4815\/pdf","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,24]],"date-time":"2026-06-24T01:27:38Z","timestamp":1782264458000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2077-0383\/15\/12\/4815"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,21]]},"references-count":31,"journal-issue":{"issue":"12","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,6]]}},"alternative-id":["jcm15124815"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/jcm15124815","relation":{},"ISSN":["2077-0383"],"issn-type":[{"value":"2077-0383","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,21]]}}}