[Dupuytren's palmar fibromatosis (author's transl)].

The analysis of a total of 500 patients with Dupuytren's contracture is reported. In agreement with the literature it was found that 90% of the patients are men. 29.9% are in the 5th decade of life at the time of the operation. The disease usually begins on one side. But after up to 3 years the second hand is also affected in 51%. The preferred location, both in its entirety and also in relation to the initial manifestation, is the ulnar portion of the hand. Because of the progressive nature of the complaint, relapses are to be expected even after a successful operation. At the time of the follow-up, 26.2% of the patients had recurrences. A correlation between the clinical picture and the histological phase classifications is not possible with certainty.