Carpal tunnel release using a short palmar incision and a new knife

A new knife with its own battery powered light source (Knifelight(R), Stryk er Instruments, Kalamazoo, Michigan, USA) was used for carpal tunnel releas e in 31 wrists of 25 patients, Under local anaesthesis, a short palmar inci sion was used and the carpal tunnel contents were visualized during divisio n of the flexor retinaculum. The mean operation time was 11 minutes and no major complications were seen. The patients could use their hands for self- care after 3 days and returned to work at a mean of 23 days. At a minimum f ollow-up of 6 months, all but one of the patients were satisfied with the f inal result. Mild scar tenderness was seen in two patients and pillar pain in one patient.