[Dupuytren's contracture--is partial palmar aponeurectomy still justifiable?].

Partial or total palmar fasciectomy was applied to one or both hands of 42 patients, between January 1st, 1980, and May 31st, 1985. Follow-up checks were made on 35 patients, the average postoperative period amounting to 41 months. Rates of recurrence were 33 per cent, following partial palmaraponeurectomy, but only five per cent, following total removal. No difference was established regarding postoperative complications. In 67 per cent of all follow-up checks the functionality of hands was good to very good, with poor functionality being recorded from only seven per cent of all cases.