Endoscopic Carpal Tunnel Release: Surgical Outcome in 100 Cases.
- Author:
Byung Cheol KIM
1
;
Bong Hwang CHO
;
Kyung Sik RYU
;
Byung Moon CHO
;
Se Hyuck PARK
;
Sae Moon OH
Author Information
1. Department of Neurosurgery, Hallym University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. sehyuck@hallym.or.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Carpal tunnel syndrome;
Endoscopic carpal tunnel release;
Surgical outcome;
Minimally invasive surgery
- MeSH:
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome;
Learning Curve;
Recurrence;
Surgical Procedures, Minimally Invasive;
Ulnar Artery;
Ulnar Nerve;
Upper Extremity
- From:Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
2004;36(3):186-191
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVE: Carpal tunnel syndrome(CTS) is the most common entrapment neuropathy in the upper extremities. For the surgical treatment of CTS, endoscopic carpal tunnel release(ECTR) has been developed as a minimally invasive method, alternative to the open procedure over the past decade. The authors present clinical experience and surgical outcome of ECTR. METHODS: One hundred cases(34 right, 30 left and 19 bilateral hands) in 81 consecutive patients(mean age: 51.8 years, range: 33-77 years) with electrodiagnostically-proven CTS underwent a single-portal ECTR from January 2001 to December 2002. Preoperative clinical findings and results of electrodiagnostic studies were compared with surgical outcome respectively after 3-month-follow-up period. RESULTS: Among 100 cases 94(94%) were satisfied with complete or significant relief of symptoms and 6(6%) were dissatisfied with partial or no relief of symptoms. Major complications in 2 cases(one with ulnar nerve injury and the other one with ulnar artery laceration), developed in early experience of ECTR and recurrence in 1 case occured. Severity of electrodiagnostic abnormalities were correlated with surgical outcome but there's no statistical significance between them. Severity of clinical findings, age at onset and symptom duration were not correlated with surgical outcome respectively. CONCLUSION: ECTR is effective in relieving symptoms of CTS with a low complication rate after the learning curve period. Thus, ECTR can be the first procedure, alternative to the open surgery as an efficient, minimally invasive surgical technique for CTS.
