title: Results of treatment of severe carpal tunnel syndrome.
abstract: A retrospective study was undertaken to determine the efficacy of carpal tunnel decompression in patients with advanced carpal tunnel syndrome. The criteria for inclusion in this study were unobtainable median sensory-evoked response and absent or prolonged median motor distal latency. Fifteen hands in 13 patients met these criteria. All patients had symptoms, including pain, weakness, or decreased sensation. Postoperative follow-up averaged 27 months. Symptomatic improvement was obtained in 14 of the 15 hands, and sensory-evoked response improved in 13 hands. Preoperative thenar atrophy was present in 10 of the 15 hands and was completely resolved in 2 of the 10 patients. These results indicate that carpal tunnel decompression is of benefit to patients with severe carpal tunnel syndrome. Long-standing symptoms, thenar atrophy, virtual anesthesia, and the absence of demonstrable sensory and motor-evoked responses are not contraindications to surgery.
authors.affiliation: St. Lukes/Roosevelt Hospital Center, Division of Hand Surgery, New York, N.Y. 10019.
authors.forename: W B
authors.initials: WB
authors.lastname: Nolan
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Alkaitis
authors.forename: S Z
authors.initials: SZ
authors.lastname: Glickel
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Snow
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002349:Carpal Tunnel Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005073:Evoked Potentials, Somatosensory; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009431:Neural Conduction; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D011379:Prognosis; D011930:Reaction Time; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome