Surgical Correction of the Hand in Epidermolysis Bullosa Dystrophica

Abstract

Epidermolysis bullosa dystrophica (polydysplastic type) is a rare congenital skin anomaly which, in the hands, because they are exposed to repeated trauma, results in a severe “mitten”-like deformity. Functional benefit was obtained in three patients by separation of the digits and application of split-thickness grafts, Wolfe grafts or “split-off” (epidermis) grafts. Arthrodesis of the interphalangeal joints and filleting of the little finger to provide a flap which could be turned in to the palm, resulted in an improvement in hand function.