ENDOSCOPIC TREATMENT OF CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME

Abstract

Background . Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a frequent cause of hand pain, numbness and paresthesias. Clinical outcome studies have been shown that endoscopic transverse carpal ligament release is an effective operation for treating idiopathic CTS. This retrospective study was designed to determine the one- to five-year outcome of endoscopic surgery for this disease. Methods . Single portal endoscopic carpal tunnel release (ECTR) was performed on 68 hands in 48 patients who had clinical signs and symptoms consistent with CTS confirmed with electrodiagnostic studies. Charts were reviewed and the following data were obtained: age, duration of symptoms, time of hospitalization and complications. 57 cases (40 patients) responded to a questionnaire and follow-up nerve conduction studies were available in 44 cases (65%) of the entire cohort. The data of electrodiagnostic studies before treatment and at follow-up were statistically compared. Results . In two cases symptoms persisted and open surgery was performed two months after endoscopic procedure. Majority of hands (49 out of 57; 86%) were pain-free at the final follow-up. Electrodiagnostic studies confirmed significant difference in nerve conduction latencies, action potentials (p < 0.01) and sensory conduction velocities (p < 0.05). Conclusions . ECTR offers safe decompression of the median nerve. The resumption of activities of daily living is short and many patients are allowed to return to work soon.