title: Endoscopic carpal tunnel release in selected rheumatoid patients.
abstract: Twenty endoscopic carpal tunnel releases were performed in 15 patients with quiescent seropositive rheumatoid arthritis using the Agee technique. Patients were not considered for endoscopic carpal tunnel release if there was florid synovitis with crepitus or loss of active finger flexion, if there was evidence of flexor tendon rupture or if they had previously undergone surgery in the region. Access to the tunnel was significantly easier than normal and visualization of the flexor retinaculum was satisfactory in all cases. There were no complications. We conclude that endoscopic carpal tunnel release can be safely performed in selected patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The absence of a palmar scar can be a great advantage to these disabled patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, The Queen Victoria Hospital, East Grinstead, West Sussex, UK. belcher@pncl.co.uk
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Belcher
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Varma
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Schonauer
mesh_terms: D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000150:complications*; D001182:Arthroscopy; D002349:Carpal Tunnel Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged