title: Carpal tunnel release with a limited palmar incision: clinical results and pillar pain at 18 months follow-up.
abstract: Limited open carpal tunnel release was performed in 58 hands (44 patients) using a single 1.5 cm palmar incision according to the technique described by Lee and Strickland. The patients were assessed at regular intervals after surgery for hand functions and subjective symptoms, in particular pillar pain. There was rapid wound recovery with minimal post-operative pain and scarring, and return to functional activities within four weeks. At an average follow-up of 18 months (range 14-24 months), 91% of patients had complete or significant resolution of hand paraesthesia. No patient required further surgery. However, pillar pain was found in 48% of hands at four weeks, 21% at 12 weeks, 12% at six months, 9% at 12 months and 7% at the last follow-up. The significance of the incidence of pillar pain is discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong S.A.R., China.
authors.forename: Patrick Shu-Hang
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Yung
authors.forename: Leung-Kim
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: Hung
authors.forename: Christopher Wai-Chung
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Tong
authors.forename: Pak-Cheung
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Ho
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002349:Carpal Tunnel Syndrome / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D018737:Hand Strength; D006801:Humans; D006987:Hypesthesia / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013525:Surgical Instruments; D016896:Treatment Outcome