title: Two-portal endoscopic carpal tunnel release surgery: report of early experience.
abstract: Endoscopic carpal tunnel release is increasingly performed to treat median nerve entrapment neuropathy at the transverse carpal ligament. Proponents of these procedures claim that there are early postoperative advantages to be gained by the patient in the form of decreased pain and weakness, thus facilitating an earlier return to function. However, serious complications associated with the use of these techniques have been reported, especially during the surgeon's purported initial steep learning curve. A prospective analysis of the authors' first 51 cases using a two-portal endoscopic technique was conducted to determine whether these learning curve complications occurred. The authors did experience a learning curve; however, it was not significant. They encountered no serious complications and patient satisfaction was very high. It is concluded that the procedure is relatively easy to learn and safe to perform.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, Portsmouth, Virginia 23708-5000, USA. pnh0cxp@pnh10.med.navy.mil
authors.forename: C B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Piccirilli
authors.forename: C I
authors.initials: CI
authors.lastname: Shaffrey
authors.forename: J N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Young
authors.forename: L R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Lovell