Minimal Incision Open Carpal Tunnel Release Compared with Endoscopic Carpal Tunnel Release: Results of Short and Middle Term Follow-up

Journal of the Korean Society for Surgery of the Hand 2003;8(4):158-164.
Published online December 1, 2003.

Chong Kwan Kim, Chae Ik Chung, Young Min Kim, Kwon Ho Kim, Jin Woo Jin, Guk Sang Chung

최소 절개와 내시경적 수근관 감압술의 치료 결과 비교 -단기 및 중기 추시 결과-

김종관, 정재익, 김영민, 김권호, 진진우, 정국상

Abstract

Purpose
This study compares clinical results of minimal incision open carpal tunnel release with endoscopic carpal tunnel release during the first 1 yeat after surgery. Materials and Methods: A prospective, randomized study was performed in patients of carpal tunnel syndrome in middle aged women from the March, 2000. to the September, 2002. We analysed 58 patients (84 cases) treated by minimal incision open carpal tunnel release and 29 patients (40 cases) by single portal endoscopic carpal tunnel release. We performed follow-up evaluations with use of grip power, satisfaction score for operation scar by VAS (Visual Analog Scale), SSS (Symptom Severity Score), and FSS (Functional Status Score) by Levine at 3, 6,9, 27, 54 weeks after operation. We also evaluated complications of each methods within 3 weeks and after 3 weeks of surgery. Results: During the first 3 weeks of surgery, patients treated with endoscopic method have significantly (P<0.05) greater grip power and better satisfaction score for operation scar, SSS and FSS. Within 6 weeks after operation, the patients of endoscopic method have still better SSS and FSS significantly (P<0.05), no significant (P>0.05) difference in grip power. After 9 weeks of surgery, patients treated with both methods have no significant difference (P>0.05) in SSS and FSS. But after 6 months, patient treated with minimal incision open method have better satisfaction score for operation scar (P<0.05). The complication rate of acute period in minimal incision open method is 7.1% and endoscopic is 12.5% but there are no significant difference between the two methods of treatment (P>0.05). Conclusion: Within 6 weeks of surgery, endoscopic method presents better results, but after 9 weeks, both methods present no significant different results.