[The importance of subclavian vein stenosis for the treatment of Dupuytren's contracture].

The postoperative healing in cases of Dupuytren's contracture is not only influenced by the age of the patient and the progress of the disease, but also by the existence of other accompanying diseases and general and local factors. The appearance of postoperative edema and the so-called hand-finger-syndrome are also especially unfavorable, because these complications determine the duration of treatment and the functional results. As a cause for these postoperative complications a disorder of the subclavian vein could be found and documented by means of phlebography. Preoperative examination of the venous situation is therefore an important diagnostic step to determine indications and to allow an estimation of the postoperative course and the duration of treatment. Demonstration of cases and statistical evaluation of our patients over the last five years show the importance of this observation.