title: A new technique of single portal endoscopic carpal tunnel release.
abstract: Since the first description of endoscopic carpal tunnel release (ECTR) in 1987 by Okutsu many endoscopic techniques have been developed, but the majority of the literature on ECTR has dealt with the Chow and Agee techniques. ECTR is indicated for carpal tunnel syndrome that is not responding to conservative treatment for 6 months. This new technique of ECTR is a single-portal technique using instruments originally designed for endoscopic cubital tunnel release, with no disposable instruments used. It also has the advantage of performing the release with the median nerve protected under direct vision. Ten cases were operated with this technique after performing the procedure on 8 hands of 4 fresh frozen cadavers. There were no neurovascular or tendon injuries with this technique and patients were satisfied with the results.
authors.affiliation: Division of Hand and Foot Surgery, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong University, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR. wyip@hkucc.hku.hk
authors.forename: Wing-Yuk Josephine
authors.initials: WY
authors.lastname: Ip
authors.forename: Tamer Ahmed
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Sweed
authors.forename: Kwok Keung Boris
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Fung
authors.forename: George L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Tipoe
authors.forename: Tze Shing
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Pun
mesh_terms: D002349:Carpal Tunnel Syndrome / Q000601:surgery*; D019299:Decompression, Surgical / Q000379:methods*; D004724:Endoscopy; D006801:Humans; D008475:Median Nerve / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome