Dystrophy, recurrence, and salvage procedures in Dupuytren's contracture.

Postoperative complications can jeopardize the results of surgery. These can be avoided by Y-V plasties that allow for efficient skin "lengthening" and wound healing. Proper dressing techniques can prevent hematoma formation. The patient must be started on early active motion to prevent stiffness, and the physician must monitor for reflex sympathetic dystrophy. If RSD should occur, the dystrophile program is the most effective means of treatment. Fasciectomy alone is not always successful in correcting Dupuytren's contracture, especially in longstanding cases. The surgeon should be prepared to correct other entities such as checkreins, sheath fibrosis, and tendon adhesions. Occasionally, a severely compromised finger is not amenable to correction. In this case, salvage procedures are available, such as the concentric arthrodesis that preserves the length of the volar structures. Only when all other attempts fail should one resort to amputation.