Abstract

Objectives: Carpal tunnel release (CTR) is one of the most frequently used surgical procedures of hand surgery. Endoscopic CTR is a new alternative technique of the standard open transverse carpal ligament release. In this study we present the effectiveness and complications of two-portal endoscopic CTR.
Methods: Between August 2000 and October 2001, we performed two portal (modified Chow technique) endoscopic CTR to the 19 hands of 17 patients. Fifteen of these were female, two were male and mean age was 54.6 (range: 38-62) years. Mean follow up period was 8 (range: 4-21) months. Clinical evaluation was confirmed with positive ENMG values. Patients were evaluated with the postoperative pain, numbness, scar sensation, returning to daily activities, and complications.
Results: All the patients were satisfied with the relief of pain. They all returned to daily activities within two weeks after the operation. There was no hypersensitive scar formation. Numbness didn’t change at the six patients. In four patients, complication due to 3-4 common digital nerves injury occurred. Two of them explorated and interfascicular nerve repair was performed.
Conclusion: For many years, conventional open technique transverse carpal ligament release was used as the standard surgical procedure of carpal tunnel syndrome. Nowadays, endoscopic CTR has become popular because of the minimal perioperative morbidity, short hospitalisation, early rehabilitation of the hand, less postoperative pain and less scarring. Our experience is the same agreement with those advantages. But unacceptable digital nerve complications were more frequent then the open technique. Especially at the learning period the surgeon should be more careful for the complications.

Key words: Carpal tunnel syndrome, endoscopic carpal tunnel release