Minimally invasive carpal tunnel release.
We prospectively compared the safety and effectiveness of mini-incision (group A) and a limited open technique (group B) for carpal tunnel release (CTR) in 185 consecutive patients operated between November 1999 and May 2001, with a 5-year minimum follow-up. Patients in Group A had a minimally invasive approach (<2 cm incision), performed using the KnifeLight (Stryker, Kalamazoo, Michigan) instrument. Patients in Group B had a limited longitudinal incision (3-4 cm). Patient status was evaluated with an Italian modified version of the Boston Carpal Tunnel questionnaire, administered preoperatively and at 19, 30, and 60 postoperative months. Mini-incision CTR showed advantages over standard technique in early recovery, pillar pain, and recurrence rate. The recovery period after mini-incision is shorter than after standard procedure.
Department of Orthopedics, University of Roma La Sapienza - Polo Pontino, Istituto Chirurgico Ortopedico Traumatologico, via Franco Faggiana 1668, 04100 Latina, Italy. paolo.cellocco@libero.it
Paolo
P
Cellocco
Costantino
C
Rossi
Stefano
S
El Boustany
Gian Luca
GL
Di Tanna
Giuseppe
G
Costanzo
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002349:Carpal Tunnel Syndrome / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery*; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008023:Ligaments, Articular / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008475:Median Nerve / Q000503:physiopathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome