CARPAL-TUNNEL RELEASE WITH SHORT INCISION

A new approach for carpal tunnel release is presented. By means of a s pecially designed guide, it is possible to completely section the carp al ligament with a short incision without damaging the carpal contents . When the retinaculum has been sectioned and the guide removed by mea ns of three Senn-Miller retractors, one proximally and two laterally, the median nerve is seen perfectly. We performed an anatomic study to determine where the incision should be made to avoid injuring the vasc ular arch, the cutaneous palmar branch of the median nerve, and the ul nar nerve. We present the results obtained in 112 patients followed up for 1 year. Complaints about tenderness of the scar disappeared, and by the end of the study, patients had regained 126 percent of their pr eoperative grip strength. All patients were able to use their hands sh ortly after the operation, and after 3 weeks, all of them returned to work. We think that by using this approach we combine the advantages o f the ''endoscopic'' technique (minimal scar, no tenderness, and early recovery) with those of the classic open technique (exploration of th e carpal contents).