Mennen, Ulrich2016-08-182016-08-182010Mennen, U 2010, 'Dupuytren’s contracture : ‘the Z-factor'', SA Orthopaedic Journal, vol. 9, no. 2, pp. 79-82.1681-150Xhttp://hdl.handle.net/2263/56382This article was written by Ulrich Mennen before he joined the University of Pretoria.Dupuytren’s contracture (DC) or palmar fasciitis is notorious for its high recurrence rate after surgical fasciectomy. In a personal series of 426 operated hands over a 15-year period with a follow-up period of 2 to 17 years, the recurrence rate was only 3.7% (in the literature: 26–63%). The demographics, surgical technique and results are discussed. It is suggested that the possible reason for the low recurrence rate lies in multiple Z-plasties.enSouth African Orthopaedic AssociationSurgical fasciectomyOperated handsRecurrence rateZ-PlastiesDupuytren’s contracture (DC)Palmar fasciitisArticle