title: Long-term results of carpal tunnel decompression. Assessment of 60 cases.
abstract: The long-term prognosis of 60 patients operated on for carpal tunnel syndrome has been assessed in a prospective study with a median follow-up period of 5.5 years (range 2-11 years). Analysis of motor, sensory, trophic, and electrodiagnostic findings and assessment of pain were performed pre- and post-operatively using a standardized grading system. The results were generally favourable with a variable degree of improvement in 86% of cases. Statistical evaluation using multiple Dunn-Rankin tests revealed pain to be the most prominent pre-operative finding. On post-operative re-examination, pain was found to be improved to a significantly greater extent than any other variable. Analysis of several potential prognostic factors showed that pain lasting for more than 5 years prior to surgery indicates a poor prognosis. Only patients with diabetes mellitus exhibited a trend toward less pain relief.
authors.affiliation: Neurological Department, University of Cologne, Germany.
authors.forename: W F
authors.initials: WF
authors.lastname: Haupt
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Wintzer
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Schop
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Löttgen
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pawlik
mesh_terms: D002349:Carpal Tunnel Syndrome / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D003929:Diabetic Neuropathies / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008475:Median Nerve / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000502:physiology; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012677:Sensation / Q000502:physiology