Resection of the palmaris longus tendon in surgery for Dupuytren's contracture.

The present investigation presents preliminary results of the operative method, where resection of the palmaris longus tendon is combined with regional fasciectomy in the treatment of Dupuytren's contracture. This procedure was developed to prevent recurrence which has been the biggest problem in the treatment regardless the surgical methods employed. The investigation included 70 consecutive patients (80 hands) treated for Dupuytren's contracture; the mean follow-up time was 47 months (62 patients). 96% of the recurrences occurred during the first two years. 42 hands were treated with regional fasciectomy and in these 18 recurrences (43%) were observed. Recurrences were found only in 23% (6/26) of the patients in whom the palmaris longus tendon was eliminated. Following resection of the palmaris longus tendon recurrences manifested themselves mainly in the fingers in the nodular cutaneously fixed form. From the promising results and absence of side effects of resection of the palmaris longus tendon the procedure can be recommended combined with surgical treatment of Dupuytren's contracture.