title: Early outcome and cost-effectiveness of endoscopic versus open carpal tunnel release: a randomized prospective trial.
abstract: Proponents of endoscopic carpal tunnel release have been advocating the technique for more than 10 years but there is still debate about its efficacy, safety and cost-effectiveness. We have performed a randomized, prospective, blind trial to compare early outcome after single portal endoscopic or open carpal tunnel surgery and to assess the cost-effectiveness of the procedures. There were no significant differences in symptom and functional activity scores, grip strength or anterior carpal pain in the first 3 months. For those in employment, we found a statistically significant difference between the two treatment groups with the endoscopic group returning to work, on average, 8 (95% CI, 2-13 days) days sooner than the open group. This translates into a cost saving to industry. There were no major neurovascular complications in either group. On the basis of these findings, we recommend that endoscopic carpal tunnel release should be considered in the employed as a cost-effective procedure, but perhaps not in the general population as a whole.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, Norwich, UK. n.saw@hotmail.com
authors.forename: N L B
authors.initials: NL
authors.lastname: Saw
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Shepstone
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Meyer
authors.forename: P G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Chapman
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Logan
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D002349:Carpal Tunnel Syndrome / Q000191:economics* / Q000601:surgery*; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D004651:Employment; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires