[The polysaccharide components of the ground substance of the connective tissue in retraction of the palmar aponeurosis (Dupuytren's disease)].

Histochemical methods were employed to study the behaviour of connectival glycoproteins in Dupuytren's disease. Increases were observed in glycoproteins and acid glycosaminoglycans in the sections with higher cell intensity. In segments where fibrosis was more marked, a prevalence of neutral polysaccharides was encountered. A possible role of these alterations in the development of palmar aponeurosis retraction is discussed.