Carpal tunnel release by the Agee endoscopic technique - Results at 4 yearfollow-up

Ninety-five hands (86 patients) were treated by endoscopic carpal tunnel re lease using the technique of Agee. They were the first ones operated on by the senior author (GF) using this technique. The patients were interviewed at a mean follow-up of 4.5 years: 72% of hands were free of symptoms and 94 % were described by the patients as functionally normal. Seventeen hands to ut of 27) with residual or recurrent symptoms were examined. Nine hands (ni ne patients) were only partially improved (mean 6.7 on a 10 point scale) an d in eight hands (seven patients), some symptoms had recurred after a mean delay of 3.8 years. It was possible to find a second pathology in most of t hese cases. It is necessary to inform the patient before operation that inc omplete relief or recurrence of symptoms can occur after endoscopic carpal tunnel release, as with conventional release.