The operative treatment of carpel tunnel syndrome and its relevance to endoscopic release

The results of open carpal tunnel release using a short incision (2.5 cm ha ve been compared with those following a long incision (4.5 cm) in a prospec tive randomized study. Eighty patients were operated upon with a follow-up rate of 100%. The variables examined included grip strength, key and pulp p inch strength, sensory function and scar tenderness. Subjective variables s uch as tingling, numbness and night symptoms were specifically enquired int o, and time for return to work was noted. The examinations took place pre-o peratively, as well as one, two, three and six weeks post-operatively. Medi an time for return to work was 21 days for the short incision group and 18 days for the long incision group. The long incision resulted in a significa nt 10% loss of strength only at week three, otherwise no significant differ ence was found between the results of the two groups.