title: [Neurolysis of the median nerve in the elderly: a long term evaluation].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Carpal tunnel release by opening the flexor retinaculum is considered a satisfactory treatment. However, several factors, like ageing, may influence postoperative results. We present the long term outcomes in elderly patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is an historical prospective long term study of 52 patients who received surgical treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome when they were 65 or older. We have carried out a clinical-functional (with the Levine questionnaire), electromyographic and dynamometric valuation of the patients studied, up to ten years from the surgery.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results of Levine's questionnaire, revealed favourable data for a mean follow-up of 10.35 years, with a mean improvement in the clinical score of 1.93 points (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.72-2.17) and in the functional score of 0.83 points (95% CI: 0.68-0.99). Similarly, the electromyographic values showed a significant improvement compared to preoperative ones (mean difference of sensory velocity of 8.43m/s, 95% CI: 8.17-11.63; mean difference of motor latency of 1.65ms, 95% CI: 1.24-2.25). The data on grip strength did not reach statistical significance.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In elderly patients, complete section of the carpal transverse ligament, allows maintaining favourable differences in most of the parameters studied, ten years after surgery, making the surgical treatment a recommendable option.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Cirugía Ortopédica y Traumatología, Hospital de Ávila, Ávila, Spain. ofmartin@msn.com
authors.forename: Omar
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Faour Martín
authors.forename: Miguel Ángel
authors.initials: MÁ
authors.lastname: Martín Ferrero
authors.forename: Jose Antonio
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Valverde García
authors.forename: Maria Pilar
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Sáez López
authors.forename: Aurelio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vega Castrillo
authors.forename: María Ángeles
authors.initials: MÁ
authors.lastname: De La Red Gallego
authors.forename: Jesús Manuel
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Cortés Villar
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Almaraz Gómez
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D002349:Carpal Tunnel Syndrome / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008475:Median Nerve / Q000601:surgery*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome