Endoscopic treatment of the carpal tunnel syndrome: Review of the recent literature

The carpal tunnel syndrome is a common pathology, recognized since one and half century. Its surgical treatment, median nerve neurolysis, has only bee n popularized 30 years ago. Despite improvement of the surgical technique, two main problems remain unsolved: lack of grip strength and "pillar" pain, which can last several weeks after surgery. Endoscopy, in a same way as kn ee meniscectomy or cholecystectomy, has contributed to minimize drawbacks o f conventional surgery. Ten years of experience have improved the material and the technique, the most recent series reporting very low complication r ates. In experimented hands, and with correct indications, endoscopic treat ment of carpal tunnel syndrome offers a clinical benefit for the patient an d an economical one for the Society.