Jas Merlyn
This first photo is Jas Merlyn’s hand her first screening. She has bilateral multi-digit syndactyly by congenital constriction band syndrome. She was too young for surgery on her first screening visit.
After waiting over 7 months, Jasmerlyn was ready to have surgery on her left hand. She underwent a syndactyly release with web space deepening with full thickness skin grafting.
.JPG)
Release of hand increases functional digital length, appearance and digital independence. Below you can see Jasmerlyn’s hand 1 year later.
During play therapy sessions, the Occupational Therapist taught Jasmerlyn’s mother how to help her use her tip pinch. The tip pinch is important for function because the index finger is a great precision performer. As you can see in this photo Jasmerlyn was avoiding the use of her index finger. Extensor habitus, the habitual posturing of the index in extension. (Jasmerlyn also had syndactyly releases to her right hand on this mission trip. Her cast can be visualized here).
Jas Merlyn underwent Staged interdigital releases (syndactyly releases) to her right hand. Here are her before and after pictures. It is very important to keep the digits separated during the healing process to avoid web creep (a possible complication after syndactyly reconstruction when the web space continues to grow from junctional scarring.)
Time to Play the Brain Game:
Q) Lower limbs are more affected in constriction band syndrome. True or False?
A) False – upper limbs are more affected than lower limbs. The hands are affected in 90 perfect of all cases.