title: Palmar uniportal extrabursal endoscopic carpal tunnel release.
abstract: A new technique of endoscopic carpal tunnel release using a 1.5-cm longitudinal palmar incision was used in 280 cases. The incision allows identification of the superficial palmar arch as well as the median nerve and its branches. A new knife/sleeve device that attaches to a standard 4-mm endoscope was created to simplify the procedure. The flexor retinaculum is endoscopically divided proximally into the distal forearm; the "interthenar fascia" (fascia superficial to transverse carpal ligament) can be preserved. Early postoperative results include a mean overall return to work and full activity of 14 days. Postoperative pinch and grip strengths were near or at the preoperative level by 8 weeks after surgery. One third of patients required no postoperative analgesics with minimal scar, ulnar pillar, and radial pillar tenderness.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microsurgery, St. John's Hospital, Smithtown, New York, USA.
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Mirza
authors.forename: E T
authors.initials: ET
authors.lastname: King
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tanveer
mesh_terms: D000556:Ambulatory Surgical Procedures; D020679:Arthroscopes; D001182:Arthroscopy / Q000379:methods; D002349:Carpal Tunnel Syndrome / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008022:Ligaments / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology