Abstract
Dupuytren's contracture is characterized by a proliferative fibroplasia and contracture of the palmar fascia with resultant deformity of hand and finger. It is most common in those of Scandinavian and Celtic origin but it is very rare in the orientals. We experienced 30 hands of 21 patients from January 1985 to December 1995 in Soonchunhyang University Hospital. Among 21 patients, operative treatment was done in 28 hands of 19 patients. Partial fasciectomy was done in 24 hands and complete fasciectomy was done in 4 hands. The longitudinal straight skin incision was done in 14 cases and the transverse or Zig-Zag incision was done in 12 cases. Average follow-up period was 24 months. The results of the operative treatment were classified by Honner's classification. Excellent result was obtained in 16 cases (57%), good in 8 (29%), fair in 3 (11%), poor in 1 (3%). The complications were 5 cases as follows; recurrence 2, skin defect 1, hypoesthesia 2. In conclusion, partial fasciectomy utilizing longitudinal straight incisions overlying diseased area is suggested as one of the good method for the treatment of Dupuytren s contracture.