title: A Randomized Comparison of Double Small, Standard, and Endoscopic Approaches for Carpal Tunnel Release.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The purpose of this study was to introduce a new surgical technique of carpal tunnel release through double small incisions, and to compare the technique with the standard open release and endoscopic release.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two hundred and seven patients were allocated randomly into group A (n = 73), B (n = 65), or C (n = 69). Patients in group A were treated with carpal tunnel release by means of double small incisions. Patients in group B were treated by means of the standard incision. Patients in group C had endoscopic release.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Preoperatively, the mean severity of symptoms of groups A, B, and C was 3.7 ± 0.58, 3.8 ± 0.62, and 3.7 ± 0.52, respectively; and the mean functional status was 3.2 ± 0.71, 3.2 ± 0.71, and 3.5 ± 0.64, respectively. At the final follow-up of 3 years, the mean severity of symptoms of the groups was 1.2 ± 0.45, 1.2 ± 0.31, and 1.5 ± 0.36, respectively; and the mean functional status was 1.2 ± 0.38, 1.2 ± 0.41, and 1.5 ± 0.42, respectively. Patient satisfaction was 95 ± 4.2, 90 ± 5.8, and 93 ± 4.4, respectively. There were no significant differences between groups regarding symptom severity or function status (p > 0.05). For scar appearance, there were significant differences between groups A and B and between B and C, but not between A and C; for patient satisfaction, there were significant differences in all comparisons.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Carpal tunnel release by means of double small incisions is a minimally invasive and less technically challenging procedure with good nerve visualization, resulting in good appearance of scars.
  
  
  METHODS
  Therapeutic, II.
authors.affiliation: Qinhuangdao and Shijiazhuang, Hebei; Zhangqiu, Shandong, People's Republic of China.|From the Hand Surgery Department, Second Hospital of Qinhuangdao; the People's Hospital of Zhangqiu; and Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University.
authors.forename: Xu
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Qinhuangdao and Shijiazhuang, Hebei; Zhangqiu, Shandong, People's Republic of China.|From the Hand Surgery Department, Second Hospital of Qinhuangdao; the People's Hospital of Zhangqiu; and Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University.
authors.forename: Xiangye
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.affiliation: Qinhuangdao and Shijiazhuang, Hebei; Zhangqiu, Shandong, People's Republic of China.|From the Hand Surgery Department, Second Hospital of Qinhuangdao; the People's Hospital of Zhangqiu; and Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University.
authors.forename: Xianhui
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Qinhuangdao and Shijiazhuang, Hebei; Zhangqiu, Shandong, People's Republic of China.|From the Hand Surgery Department, Second Hospital of Qinhuangdao; the People's Hospital of Zhangqiu; and Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University.
authors.forename: Shumin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wen
authors.affiliation: Qinhuangdao and Shijiazhuang, Hebei; Zhangqiu, Shandong, People's Republic of China.|From the Hand Surgery Department, Second Hospital of Qinhuangdao; the People's Hospital of Zhangqiu; and Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University.
authors.forename: Jianxin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.affiliation: Qinhuangdao and Shijiazhuang, Hebei; Zhangqiu, Shandong, People's Republic of China.|From the Hand Surgery Department, Second Hospital of Qinhuangdao; the People's Hospital of Zhangqiu; and Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University.
authors.forename: Xinzhong
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Shao
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002349:Carpal Tunnel Syndrome / Q000601:surgery*; D004724:Endoscopy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D016896:Treatment Outcome