title: Intra-individual comparison between open and 2-portal endoscopic release in clinically matched bilateral carpal syndrome.
abstract: Based upon bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) we undertook a prospective randomised intra-individual comparison between open (OR) and 2-portal endoscopic release (2-PER) to establish if there is any demonstrable advantage in undertaking either technique in a 1 year follow-up. Ten patients with bilateral CTS were enrolled in this study and underwent a 2-PER on the one and an OR with two minimised incisions on the contralateral hand. Both hands were examined pre- and postoperatively after 2, 4, 6 and 12 weeks and after 6 and 12 months, respectively. Preoperatively both hands revealed statistically no significant differences in all the parameters recorded. Comparing both techniques no significant differences could be detected in the follow-up period. Nevertheless, both techniques showed significant improvements in the severity of symptoms and pain, in sensory nerve testing and in electro-diagnostic parameters, when comparing pre- with postoperative data after 1 year. The endoscopic approach revealed no distinct advantages over the open technique not only in the late but also in the early postoperative follow-up period when performing intra-individual comparison. Considering the higher complication rate and costs when performing 2-PER the OR with two minimised incisions seems to be a good alternative in order to keep the recovery period as short as possible.
authors.affiliation: Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria. mathias.rab@meduniwien.ac.at
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rab
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Grünbeck
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Beck
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Haslik
authors.forename: K F
authors.initials: KF
authors.lastname: Schrögendorfer
authors.forename: H-P
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Schiefer
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mittlböck
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Frey
mesh_terms: D002348:Carpal Bones / Q000601:surgery; D002349:Carpal Tunnel Syndrome / Q000601:surgery*; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000379:methods; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome