Single-portal Endoscopic Carpal Tunnel Release Research Articles

A Cadaveric Study of the Carpal Tunnel and Anatomical Variations of the Median Nerve in Vietnamese Adults: Implications for Single Portal Endoscopic Carpal Tunnel Release.

Introduction:Single-portal endoscopic carpal tunnel release using modified Agee technique is widely used in Vietnam. Yet information on the anatomy of the target space of Vietnamese people regarding this technique is scarce. We aimed to characterise the anatomical landmarks and variations of the carpal tunnel to propose a safer surgery.Materials and methods:All twenty hands of ten fresh frozen, unembalmed cadavers of Vietnamese adults were included. Dissection was performed after the vertical line, Kaplan’s cardinal line and the distal wrist crease were drawn. The transverse carpal ligament (TCL), ulnar neurovascular bundle and superficial palmar arch were exposed. Measurements were made using Mitutoyo calliper. The variants of the median nerve and in the course of the thenar motor branch were recorded.Results:The median distances from the TCL distal margin to the distal wrist crease and superficial palmar arch were 31.2mm and 12.7mm, respectively. The ulnar neurovascular bundle was located 5.7mm and 4.4mm ulnar to the vertical line at the level of the TCL proximal margin and at the level of the TCL distal margin, respectively. The thenar motor branch of the median nerve was extra-ligamentous in 19 hands and preligamentous in 1 hand.Conclusion:If endoscopic portal is made along the distal wrist crease, blade assembly should not be inserted beyond the 35mm mark on its scale. Instruments should be aimed toward the radial border of the patient’s ring finger. Surgeons should be aware of the preligamentous course of the thenar motor branch although this variant type is rare.

Anomalous Muscles of the Wrist Encountered During Endoscopic Carpal Tunnel Surgery.

ObjectiveAnomalous muscles of the wrist are infrequently encountered during carpal tunnel surgery. Anatomic variants of the palmaris longus (PL), flexor digitorum superficialis, lumbricalis and abductor digiti minimi (ADM) have been reported but are usually clinically insignificant. Anomalies of the wrist muscles, encountered during endoscopic carpal tunnel surgery have rarely been described. I conducted this study to evaluate muscular anomalies of the volar aspect of the wrist, encountered during endoscopic carpal tunnel surgery. MethodsI studied a consecutive series of 1235 hands in 809 patients with carpal tunnel syndrome who underwent single-portal endoscopic carpal tunnel release (ECTR) from 2002 to 2014. Nine hundred seventy-three hands in 644 patients who had minimal 6-month postoperative follow-up were included in the study. The postoperative surgical outcome was assessed at least 6 months after surgery. ResultsIn eight patients, anomalous muscles were found under the antebrachial fascia at the proximal wrist crease and superficial to the ulnar bursa, passing superficial to the transverse carpal ligament . Those anomalous muscles were presumed to be variants of the PL or accessory ADM muscle, necessitating splitting and retraction to enter the carpal tunnel during the ECTR procedure. Other muscle anomalies were not seen within the carpal tunnel on the endoscopic view. The surgical outcome for all eight wrists was successful at the 6-month postoperative follow-up. ConclusionCarpal tunnel surgeons, especially those using an endoscope should be familiar with unusual findings of anomalous muscles of the wrist because early recognition of those muscles can contribute to avoiding unnecessary surgical exploration and unsuccessful surgical outcomes.

153 Surgical Outcome of Single-Portal Endoscopic Carpal Tunnel Release Using a Forward-Facing Knife in 1000 Consecutive Hands

153 Surgical Outcome of Single-Portal Endoscopic Carpal Tunnel Release Using a Forward-Facing Knife in 1000 Consecutive Hands

Long-term outcomes following single-portal endoscopic carpal tunnel release.

There is limited published information about long-term outcomes and recurrence rates following single-portal endoscopic carpal tunnel release. We reviewed symptom and function outcomes from a prospectively collected database of patients who underwent single-portal endoscopic carpal tunnel release at a minimum of 8years follow-up. Out of 207 patients in the original database, we were able to confirm correct current contact information for 106 patients. Of these, 91 patients with 115 single-portal endoscopic carpal tunnel releases agreed to participate. All of these patients were eligible for this long-term follow-up study based on documented preoperative and 6-month postoperative Levine-Katz questionnaire scores. Patients then completed a current update of the Levine-Katz questionnaires to assess function and symptom outcomes at latest follow-up. The average 6-month postoperative scores were significantly lower compared with the average preoperative scores and were maintained at long-term follow-up. There were no significant differences in average change in scores at long-term follow-up compared to 6-months postoperative. Single-portal endoscopic carpal tunnel release is an effective surgical treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome. Low recurrence rates and maintenance of low symptom and function scores can be expected at 8 to 10years following this technique.

Palmaris Profundus Tendon Prohibiting Endoscopic Carpal Tunnel Release: Case Report

Palmaris profundus is an aberrant muscle of forearm and wrist anatomy. It has no discernible function, but its tendon has been implicated as a cause of carpal tunnel syndrome. Previously, all cases of palmaris profundus in the literature have been encountered during either open surgery or cadaveric dissection. We report a case of palmaris profundus encountered during attempted single-portal endoscopic carpal tunnel release, necessitating conversion to an open approach. There was a unique point of tendon insertion onto the undersurface of the transverse carpal ligament, more proximal than what has been previously described in the literature. There were other anomalies present as well, including a persistent median artery and bifid median nerve. Given the volar position of the structure, its proximal point of insertion, and its minimal bulk, we did not feel that this was the cause of our patient's carpal tunnel syndrome.

Median Nerve Excursion during Endoscopic Carpal Tunnel Release

Restriction of the excursion of the nerve has been accepted as a pathogenetic element in carpal tunnel syndrome. The goal of this article was to evaluate the median nerve excursion in the carpal tunnel measured as a function of wrist position before and after endoscopic carpal tunnel release (ECTR) on 28 hands of 22 patients. The position of cylindrical stainless steel markers embedded within the median nerve was measured by a direct radiographic technique. Each upper extremity was examined in three wrist positions. Then, endoscopic release with Menon's technique was performed, and the measurements were repeated. In this prospective clinical study, most (93%) of the patients experienced resolution of their symptoms. Before and after ECTR, median nerve excursion was linear and was affected by wrist position. Before ECTR, when the wrist was moved from the end of dorsiflexion to the end of palmar flexion, the median nerve underwent a mean total excursion of 28.8 mm at the wrist. A comparison of the before and after ECTR excursion showed no statistical differences in the amount of motion. The single-portal ECTR does not seem to influence the median nerve excursion for the wrist positions studied in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome. The results from this in vivo study showed longitudinal gliding of the median nerve twice as great as in in vitro studies.

Endoscopic release in carpal tunnel syndrome: analysis of clinical results in 200 cases.

Carpal tunnel syndrome is the most common peripheral neuropathy. Conventional carpal tunnel surgery has been performed as a primary procedure for the decompression of the median nerve at the wrist in patients who have idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome. While the results have been excellent, this surgical procedure has been reported to be related to high postoperative morbidity and extended length of recovery time. Over the past decade, endoscopic release of the transverse carpal ligament has been developed as a new, alternative method to the open procedures. Endoscopic carpal tunnel release has been reported to ensure less postoperative morbidity, more rapid recovery of strength, with earlier return to work, reduced disability time and a better cosmetic result. The authors present a surgical series of 200 hands in 164 patients (36 bilaterals) with idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome, who underwent a single-portal endoscopic carpal tunnel release (Agee technique), with regards to the clinical outcome and complications occurred after 4-months follow-up.

Single-portal endoscopic carpal tunnel release

Single-portal endoscopic carpal tunnel release

Endoscopic versus open carpal tunnel release in bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome

The advantages and disadvantages of endoscopic compared with open carpal tunnelreleasearecontroversial. We have performed a prospective, randomised, blinded assessment in a district general hospital in order to determine if there was any demonstrable advantage in undertaking either technique. Twenty-five patients with confirmed bilateral idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome were randomised to undergo endoscopic release by the single portal Agee technique to one hand and open release to the other. Independent preoperative and postoperative assessment was undertaken by a hand therapist who was blinded to the type of treatment. Follow-up was for 12 months. The operating time was two minutes shorter for the open technique (p < 0.005). At all stages of postoperative assessment, the endoscopic technique had no significant advantages in terms of return of muscle strength and assessment of hand function, grip strength, manual dexterity or sensation. In comparison with open release, single-portal endoscopic carpal tunnel release has a similar incidence of complications and a similar return of hand function, but is a slightly slower technique to undertake.

Endoscopic <I>versus</I> open carpal tunnel release in bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome: A prospective, randomised, blinded assessment

The advantages and disadvantages of endoscopic compared with open carpal tunnel release are controversial. We have performed a prospective, randomised, blinded assessment in a district general hospital in order to determine if there was any demonstrable advantage in undertaking either technique. Twenty-five patients with confirmed bilateral idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome were randomised to undergo endoscopic release by the single portal Agee technique to one hand and open release to the other. Independent preoperative and postoperative assessment was undertaken by a hand therapist who was blinded to the type of treatment. Follow-up was for 12 months. The operating time was two minutes shorter for the open technique (p < 0.005). At all stages of postoperative assessment, the endoscopic technique had no significant advantages in terms of return of muscle strength and assessment of hand function, grip strength, manual dexterity or sensation. In comparison with open release, single-portal endoscopic carpal tunnel release has a similar incidence of complications and a similar return of hand function, but is a slightly slower technique to undertake.

Endoscopic carpal tunnel release: results with special consideration to possible complications.

Single-portal endoscopic carpal tunnel release (Agee technique) was carried out in 148 patients. Of these, 100 were examined clinically and electrophysiologically 1 day before surgery and 1 and 3 months thereafter. Ten patients experienced transient ulnar neuropraxia and two patients complained postoperatively of intense pain in the middle and ring fingers. Three patients suffered residual symptoms. In one of these an incomplete release of the distal portion of the retinaculum flexorum was suspected and later confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging. Another patient had applied for pension due to problems associated with a vertebral fracture in addition to his carpal tunnel symptoms. A third patient with residual symptoms was rheumatic, and upon reexamination 6 months later he was virtually symptom free. Five of the 148 operations were converted to an open procedure due to poor visualization. A review of literature on carpal tunnel release (biportal Chow technique and uniportal Agee technique) uncovered 31 intra- and postoperative complications, including 14 affecting nerve structures, 2 tendon structures, 2 bony structures, and 9 the surrounding tissues. We discuss the most common complications, considering in particular the anatomical characteristics in the carpal tunnel region.

Recurrent carpal tunnel syndrome following endoscopic carpal tunnel release: a preliminary report.

Persistent or recurrent symptoms following endoscopic carpal tunnel release have been reported in 0.5% to 3% of patients undergoing this procedure. Unfortunately, preoperative risk factors for this complication have not been defined. We reviewed the records of 126 consecutive patients who underwent Agee single-portal endoscopic carpal tunnel release between June 1994 and March 1997. Five patients and six hands required subsequent open carpal tunnel release for persistent or recurrent carpal tunnel syndrome. Fulminant synovitis was identified during open carpal tunnel release in all reexplored patients, and four of the six hands were cured with open release and synovectomy. No recurrences were identified in the group of patients who presented with unilateral carpal tunnel syndrome. The presence of bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome may be a risk factor for persistent or recurrent carpal tunnel syndrome following endoscopic carpal tunnel release.

A simple technique for identification of the distal extent of the transverse carpal ligament during single-portal endoscopic carpal tunnel release

A simple technique for identification of the distal extent of the transverse carpal ligament during single-portal endoscopic carpal tunnel release

Single-portal endoscopic carpal tunnel release: agee carpal tunnel release system.

This single-group prospective cohort study was conducted to define the efficacy and safety of single-portal endoscopic carpal tunnel release using the redesigned carpal tunnel release system (3M Healthcare, St Paul, MN). Eighty-six procedures in 69 patients were evaluated by objective motor/sensory testing and clinical outcome questionnaire at 10 days, and 6 and 10 weeks postoperatively. All cases were performed by the same surgeon using a similar local anesthetic technique. The subjective symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome, including paresthesia, numbness, and pain, demonstrated substantial improvement by 10 days postoperatively, and less than 2% of the subjects remained symptomatic by 10 weeks. The percentage of patients with normal, static, two-point discrimination in the median nerve distribution, demonstrated significant improvement by 6 weeks postoperatively. Preoperative grip and three-point pinch strength were regained by 6 weeks postoperatively, while lateral pinch demonstrated substantial improvement in the same time period. Workers' compensation cases required a significantly longer time to return to work (mean, 40.8 days) than nonworkers' compensation cases (mean, 22.2 days). No difference, however, was demonstrated between workers' compensation and nonworkers' compensation cases with respect to the time of return to activities of daily living (mean, 13.5 days). There were no major neurovascular injuries incurred during the performance of the study. The most important complications included one mild reflex sympathetic dystrophy, three transient digital neuropraxias, and one superficial wound infection. In conclusion, the performance of single-portal endoscopic carpal tunnel release using the redesigned Agee carpal tunnel release system is both a safe and efficacious procedure.

A cadaveric study of the single-portal endoscopic carpal tunnel release

Forty-three human cadavers underwent single-portal endoscopic carpal tunnel release using the Agee technique. Subsequent independent open dissection revealed complete release of all potentially compressing transverse structures in 19 specimens and incomplete release in 24 specimens. There were 2 specimens with vascular injuries; one transection of a perforating branch of the palmar arch, and one transection of the ulnar artery at the entry portal. The 43 specimens were divided into three groups: group 1 (13 specimens) were released by the senior author in 1989; group 2 (13 specimens) were released by the senior author in 1992; and group 3 (17 specimens) were released by surgeons learning the technique under direct supervision of the senior author. Complete release was 5 of 13 for group 1, 6 of 13 for group 2, and 8 of 17 for group 3. This study indicates that incomplete release is an inherent feature of this technique regardless of the surgeon's experience and despite blade redesign. The significance of incomplete release is unknown and must be determined in long-term clinical studies.