title: Microsurgical open mini uniskin incision technique in the surgical treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Patients who undergo carpal tunnel surgery sometimes complain of the restriction of the grip and pinch function, palmar tenderness, cosmetic problems, and scar formation at the site of the incision.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We used a modified mini uni-skin incision with appropriate hand position for microscopic view in the surgical treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome to prevent cosmetic problems related with scar formation after surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this study we used two different skin incision techniques; mini uni-skin incision and standard incision. In mini uni-skin incision technique the hands were positioned in a way that the wrist are hyperextended. A small skin incision one cm long was done from the inferior flexion crease towards the point between the thirth and fourth fingers.
  
  
  METHODS
  Standard incision and mini uni-skin incision were compared according to their cosmetic result, grip and pinch function, palmar tenderness, and painful scar formation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Student -t test was used for this study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  56 (43%) patients were operated with mini uni-skin incision, and 73 (57%) cases were operated with standard incision. The scores of grip, pinch and cosmetic results were better in the patients who were operated with mini uni-skin incision technique from those of standard incision.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In this clinical study we used a modified skin incision (mini uni-skin incision) technique in the surgical treatment of carpal tunnel surgery. Our results revealed that mini uni-skin incision is superior from the standard incision.
authors: Department of Neurosurgery, Medical Faculty, Ondokuzmayis University, Samsun, Turkey. kaydin@omu.edu.tr
authors: Aydin
authors: A
authors: Keramettin
authors: Cokluk
authors: C
authors: Cengiz
authors: Cengiz
authors: C
authors: Nilgun
authors: Bilgici
authors: B
authors: Ayhan