In defense of the open wound.

In a case of bilateral five-finger Dupuytren contracture, one hand was treated by open excision of the contracutred fascia and shortened skin with application of skin graft. The opposite hand was treated by the "open-palm" technique for comparison. There was no observable difference in the ranges of motion at the end of the two months following surgery. The open-palm technique continues to be simple alternative for the advanced cases requiring extensive excision of the palmar fascia leaving wide gaps in the palmar skin.