title: Carpal tunnel release: Safe and simple identification of the flexor retinaculum based on superficial anatomical landmarks.
abstract: The aim of our study was to project the borders of the flexor retinaculum (FR) onto superficial landmarks since its insufficient splitting is the most common reason for persistence of symptoms after carpal tunnel release. In 60 hands the radial and ulnar styloid processes were linked by a horizontal line and a longitudinal line was laid through the ring finger's radial side. These were intersected resulting in the reference point "A" on the forearm. As the second basing point "B", the radial margin of the ring finger at the palmar digital crease was chosen. Measurement of the FR was carried out with regard to the reference points. The proximal margin of the FR was located at 4% of the reference line A-B starting from point A and extended up to 52% of this total length. Results indicate that splitting alongside the proximal half of line A-B divides the FR completely. Clin. Anat. 30:512-516, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery, Medical University of Graz, Austria, Auenbruggerplatz 5, Graz, 8036, Austria.
authors.forename: G M
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1831-9269
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Hohenberger
authors.affiliation: Institute for Statistics and Mathematics, Vienna University of Economics and Business, Austria, Welthandelsplatz 1, Wien, 1020, Austria.
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Maier
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery, Medical University of Graz, Austria, Auenbruggerplatz 5, Graz, 8036, Austria.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Grechenig
authors.affiliation: AUVA Trauma Hospital Graz, Austria, Göstinger Straße 24, Graz, 8020, Austria.
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Schwarz
authors.affiliation: State Hospital Hochsteiermark/Leoben, Austria, Vordernberger Straße 42, Leoben, 8700, Austria.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Matzi
authors.affiliation: Institute of Anatomy, Medical University of Graz, Austria, Harrachgasse 21, Graz, 8010, Austria.
authors.forename: A H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Weiglein
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D059925:Anatomic Landmarks; D002102:Cadaver; D002349:Carpal Tunnel Syndrome / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D019299:Decompression, Surgical / Q000379:methods*; D004724:Endoscopy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008023:Ligaments, Articular / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
keywords: carpal tunnel release; flexor retinaculum; minimally invasive surgery; peripheral entrapment neuropathy