ENDOSCOPIC CARPAL-TUNNEL RELEASE - PROSPECTIVE ASSESSMENT OF 255 CONSECUTIVE CASES

A prospective study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of two-portal endoscopic carpal tunnel release, Two hundred and fifty- five consecutive hands (204 patients) were operated on by one surgeon using general or regional anaesthesia in the first 48 hands and local anaesthesia in the following 207 hands. The patients were evaluated pr eoperatively and 3 and 6 months postoperatively by an independent exam iner. At the 6-month follow-up, 83% reported complete relief of sympto ms and 89% were satisfied with the results of surgery. The median time until return to work was 17 days. Complications included five postope rative digital neurapraxias, all occurring under general or regional a naesthesia, and four open reoperations due to persistent symptoms. Two -portal endoscopic carpal tunnel release can be effective and safe and appears to shorten the time until return to work. The use of local an aesthesia might be important in avoiding neurological complications.