Morbus Dupuytren is particularly widespread among northern Europeans. However, the therapeutic success-rate often leaves much to be desired. A 50 per cent recurrence-rate after surgery indicates that the disease cannot be treated by surgery alone. This book therefore adopts two parallel approaches: emphasis is firstly placed on the systemic character of morbus Dupuytren in context with other connective tissue diseases by a description of the biochemical and molecular-biological changes in the diseased connective tissues; secondly, a diversified picture of the given anatomical facts serves to explain the employment of the various therapeutic approaches. Further, a description is given of the current surgical procedures.
