ENDOSCOPIC OPERATION FOR THE TREATMENT OF CARPAL-TUNNEL SYNDROME - PRELIMINARY-RESULTS OF A PROSPECTIVE-STUDY

Endoscopic carpal tunnel release is a new technique for treatment of c arpal tunnel syndrome. The benefits of this procedure are a small skin wound with less local pain,the fact that the hand can quickly be used again, and earlier return to work or other activities. We present the preliminary results of the 3-month follow-up of 88 patients out of a prospective study of 100 patients. All patients were operated on using the one-port technique. Six additional decompressions had to be aband oned and open release was performed. Of the patients with pain, 73.6% (68/88) were completely pain-free and in 13.2% (9/68) pain improved by more than 50%. Subjective symptoms like paresthesia and numbness of t he hand disappeared completely in 77.2% (64/83). Sensory deficits disa ppeared in 50% (33/66). Ten of 17 patients with preoperative paresis o f the abductor pollicis brevis muscle and 11/14 with paresis of the op ponens pollicis muscle had normal motor function 3 months after the op eration. The complication rate concerning nerve lesions was 2.3%. The return to work time was 21 days (range 3-49 days). According to clinic al symptoms, our preliminary results do not seem to have any benefits compared to the conventional open technique, and the costs for the end oscopic procedure are markedly higher. The complication rate after the learning curve period is approximately the same as open carpal tunnel release.