Anthropometry and endoscopic carpal tunnel release

A prospective study,vas performed in 100 consecutive endoscopic carpel tunn el releases (ECTR) to assess the effect of a number of anthropometric measu res on the ease of introduction of the ECTR system into the carpal tunnel. Ease of access to the carpal tunnel correlated with the wrist circumference , height and age of patients. Surgeons should be aware that ECTR is likely to be more difficult in small patients with small wrists and should have a higher threshold for conversion to the open technique to avoid neurological complications.