title: Endoscopic release of the carpal ligament for carpal tunnel syndrome: long-term results using the Chow technique.
abstract: This report presents the author's experience with the Chow method for endoscopic release of the carpal ligament for carpal tunnel syndrome, with a minimum follow-up of 5 years. The report includes 116 cases (wrists) of 84 patients. The success rate for these cases is 93.3% and the recurrence rate is 0.96%. One temporary ulnar neuropraxia was reported in this group with spontaneous recovery. There were no permanent nerve injuries. Results of 5-year follow-up nerve conduction velocity tests are also included. This report shows that endoscopic release of the carpal ligament for carpal tunnel syndrome, using the Chow method, is a reliable alternative to the open procedure and has produced good, long-term, results.
authors.affiliation: Orthopaedic Clinic of Mt. Vernon, Orthopaedic Research Foundation of Southern Illinois, 62864, USA.
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Chow
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001182:Arthroscopy; D002349:Carpal Tunnel Syndrome / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008023:Ligaments, Articular / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008475:Median Nerve / Q000503:physiopathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009431:Neural Conduction; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014955:Wrist Joint