title: A new device for safe and easy dilatation of the carpal canal in endoscopic surgical treatment of the carpal tunnel syndrome.
abstract: A new slightly bent type of bougie for safe and easy carpal tunnel bougienage prior to endoscopic carpal tunnel decompression is described. The design was developed according to the natural shape of the carpal canal and studied in 6 cadaver forearms with subsequent opening of the dilated carpal canal as well as in 15 endoscopic transverse ligament dissections in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome. The carpal canal bougienage can be performed easier and safer according to the natural anatomical pathway with slightly bent bougies compared to the conventional straight probes.
authors.affiliation: Section of Plastic and Handsurgery, Albert Ludwigs University Freiburg, Germany.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Horch
mesh_terms: D002349:Carpal Tunnel Syndrome / Q000601:surgery*; D004106:Dilatation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques