[Therapeutic possibilities in fibro-lipomatous hypertrophy of the hand and finger nerves].

If the main nerves of the forearm and wrist are effected with fibro-lipomatous hypertrophy, decompression can be performed as a palliative measure. As the disease is not pregressive, resection or defatting of the hypertrophic fascicles should be avoided. The fibrous and lipomatous tissue cannot be separated from the fascicles without damaging them, even if the finest microsurgical technique are applied. As the disturbance of motor function increases, reconstructive surgery is necessary. In the fingers the "tumor" can be resected completely; the sensation of functionally important areas should be reconstructed with a neurovascular island flap or local pedicle flaps.