Carpal tunnel release VIA mini-open wrist crease incision: procedure and results of four years clinical experience

ABSTRACT

To evaluate prospectively the safety and effectiveness of a mini-open technique for carpal tunnel release using a 1-1.5 centimeter wrist skin crease incision. Clinical experience with the technique consists of 98 patients and 124 hands over a period of four years, from October 1999 - October 2003. All cases were done as outpatient under local anesthesia Details of the technique, patient satisfaction and Outcomes are presented. The mean duration of the operation was 12 minutes. The technique was highly satisfactory cosmetically for all patients especially who previously experienced the open standard palmar incision in the other hand. Ninety-four percent of the patients were completely satisfied with the procedure regarding their symptoms. Five cases developed minor superficial wound infection No major nerve or vascular injury had occurred. Postoperative outcome measures and patient satisfactions [pain, return to normal activities and work, scar and pillar tenderness] were comparable with published series of endoscopic carpal tunnel release. This technique is simple, safe, cosmetically satisfactory and cost effective. It can be used by experienced hand surgeons especially in countries where endoscopic release is expensive and not widely available