Out-patient surgery for Dupuytren's disease under intravenous regional anaesthesia.

During a six-month period, 55 operations for Dupuytren's contracture were performed on an out-patient basis. Intravenous regional anaesthesia was used in all cases, and the skin was closed primarily by Z-plasties. This method, which has not been published earlier, does not allow the surgeon to release the tourniquet before securing haemostasis. It is left to the patients to manage the post-operative elevation. No cases of post-operative haematoma occurred, and recovery of hand function was good in all cases. The method saves resources and is well-tolerated by patients.