[New aspects of the treatment of dermatogenous contractures of the hand in epidermolysis bullosa].

Epidermolysis bullosa dystrophica is a rare hereditary disease of skin. There are always flexion contractures and pseudosyndactylies of all fingers and adduction contractures of the thumb. Aims of surgical management are reconstruction and maintaining of hand function. Technical details of 18 operations in six children are described. Ultramicroscopical criteria help to choose patients for therapy with phenytoin. It is as yet too early to assess the results of the latter treatment.