Methods

81 patients (94 fingers) with Duputyren's contracture of the proximal interphalangeal joint underwent surgery to have either a ‘firebreak’ skin graft (46 fingers) or a fasciectomy (48 fingers). They were reviewed after three weeks, six weeks, 6, 12, 24 and 36 months to note the range of movement and recurrence. Both groups were similar with regard to age, gender and factors considered to influence the outcome such as bilateral disease, family history, and the presence of diabetes, smoking and alcohol intake.