Background and aim Syndactyly is one of the most common congenital anomaly of the hand in children. A great number of syndactyly release techniques have been described over last two centuries. The aim of our study is outcome assessment of congenital syndactyly surgery using temporarily tissue expansion without skin grafts.

Methods Our study included children with congenital hand syndactyly treated by operative technique with temporarily tissue expansion of the dorsal hand skin and local flaps, without skin grafting in period from 2008–2013. In all cases surgery was performed under general anaesthesia. According to the Weber descriptive method functional outcome at the end of follow-up period was categorised as good, fair and bad.

Results Twenty children (13 males, 7 females) aged from 6 months to 6 years (mean 23 months) were operated by described technique. Fourteen cases had complete, while six had incomplete syndactyly mostly involving the third web. Associated anomalies were diagnosed in twelve patients. Follow up period ranged from 6 months to 4 years. Functional results were: good in twelve patients, fair in seven and bad in one case.

Conclusion Surgical procedure with temporarily tissue expansion of the dorsal hand skin and local flaps, without skin grafting is effective method of congenital syndactyly treatment in children with good functional and aesthetic results.