title: Comparison of morphologic consequences of open and endoscopic carpal tunnel release.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study is to evaluate the carpal canal morphologic consequences following endoscopic carpal tunnel release compared with open approach.
  
  
  METHODS
  48 Patients with CTS were enrolled in our prospective trial. Participants were classified in 2 groups: 24 patients underwent open surgery technique and 24 underwent endoscopic carpal tunnel decompression. Carpal canal shape and volume, configuration and position of contents, were analyzed by using imaging techniques.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Preoperative carpal canal volume in endoscopic patient group averaged 5.7±1.4 cc and 7.3±2.9 cc at 6 weeks postoperatively (28%±7%, p=0.018). In contrast preoperative carpal canal volume in open carpal tunnel release group averaged 4.9±1.1 cc (and increased to 6.2±1.7 cc at 6-week follow up investigation (36%±5%, p=0.002). Preoperative carpal arch width calculation in endoscopic carpal tunnel release group averaged 21.7±1.1mm and 21.5±1.9mm in open carpal tunnel release patients (p=0.6575). Postoperative carpal arch width measurements in endoscopic carpal tunnel decompression group averaged 22.6±4.1mm and 22.1±2.9mm in open carpal tunnel release patient population at 6-week follow-up investigation (p=0.628).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Endoscopic approach causes an increment in carpal canal volume comparable to open technique and provides equivalent anatomic outcomes and will produce at least equivalent long-term clinical relief.
authors.affiliation: Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Hamidreza
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Aslani
authors.affiliation: Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Zohreh
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Zafarani
authors.affiliation: Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Arvin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Najafi
authors.affiliation: Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Khalil
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Alizadeh
authors.affiliation: Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Reza
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Farjad
authors.affiliation: Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Saman
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ghahremani
authors.affiliation: Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Masoud
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mosavvari
authors.affiliation: Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Electronic address: parsmedicine@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Farivar Abdollahzadeh
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Lahiji
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002349:Carpal Tunnel Syndrome / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D019299:Decompression, Surgical / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D044583:Neuroendoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D011859:Radiography; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Carpal tunnel; Endoscopic; Morphologic; Open surgery; Release