Lesions of digital arteries in Dupuytren's disease. A study of twelve cases.

Twelve cases of histologically examined digital collateral arteries severed accidentally during surgery for Dupuytren's disease are presented. All arteries were repaired immediately after specimen retrieval for histological examination. Only one artery had a normal structure; 11 cases showed subendothelial fibrosis while two arteries thrombosed. These changes might account for the confusion of these arteries with adhesions and might explain their severance. Typically the zone involved was the distal part of the palm, in which the neurovascular bundle twists around the spiral cord. We believe that the lesions are a consequence rather than a cause of Dupuytren's disease.