Endoscopic Carpal Tunnel Decompression

Abstract

A study of endoscopic carpal tunnel release was carried out in three parts, consisting of initial cadaveric dissections, a prospective pilot study of 20 patients and a prospective, randomized trial of 71 patients comparing endoscopic with open decompression. In the main trial, 25 patients with bilateral symptoms underwent simultaneous endoscopic and open release, with the remainder randomized to one or other technique. Both techniques effectively decompressed the median nerve. A significant improvement in grip and pinch strength over 3 months was achieved in those undergoing endoscopic surgery. Average return to work was 14 days in the endoscopic series and 39 days in the open series. A complication rate of 35% was achieved with the transbursal endoscopic technique, 3.7% with the extrabursal endoscopic technique and 13.5% in the open series.