title: The endoscopic treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome as an outpatient procedure.
abstract: From September 1995 to July 1996 50 patients were treated for carpal tunnel syndrome as outpatients by endoscopic release in the rooms of an orthopaedic surgeon (two-portal-technique). The average age was 51.3 years (27-61 years). The average length of symptoms was 43 months, the postoperative time off work averaged 27 days. Six months postoperatively wasting of the thenar persisted in 2 out of 16 patients, a positive Tinel's sign in 1 out of 46 patients and delayed median nerve conduction in 2 out of 48 presenting these symptoms preoperatively. At 6 months the average handgrip strength had recovered to 109% of the preoperative value. One out of 49 patients still presented paresthesia and 1 out of 50 nocturnal dysesthesia. There were minor complications in 7 patients (14%), only one patient requires further treatment. We conclude that endoscopic carpal tunnel release done on outpatients in a private surgery can be reliable, safe and cost efficient.
authors.affiliation: Orthopaedic Surgery Dr. Klausmann Macairestrasse 19 Konstanz D-78467 Germany.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Buchhorn
authors.forename: E A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Cameron
authors.forename: H G
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Klausmann
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Erggelet
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Krämer