Endoscopic carpal tunnel release: Surgical experience and evaluation of complications

Abstract

A prospective study of endoscopic carpal tunnel release using the Concept Carpal Tunnel Relief Kit (Linvatec, Largo, FL, USA) was conducted at the School of Medicine Hospital of Akdeniz University, Antalya-Turkey. The results of the first 22 procedures in 17 patients treated by the authors are reported. Patients average age were 46 years. There were 2 man, 15 women. The mean follow-up period was 12 months. Eighty-six percent of the patients achieved relief of symptoms. No permanentneurological or vascular injury occurred in this series. There were 1O observed abnormal sensation at the follow-up. 7 of the 1O were resolved completely by 12 weeks. These neuropraxias did not adversely effect the final outcome of carpal tunnel release. The grip strength returned to 75% or more of the preoperative Ievel in 12 weeks in the 85.7% of patients. The average return-to-work interval was 17 day.