Percutaneous Decompression in the carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Moon, Eun Sun; Rhym, Inn Soo; Seo, Hyoung Yeon

Abstract

Carpal tunnel syndrome is the most common peripheral nerve entrapment syndrome due to compression of the median nerve at the wrist. Division of the transverse carpal ligament for median nerve compression in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome is a common and successful procedure. A variety procedures exist to release the transverse carpal ligament the classic open release, limmited open or percutaneous release, and endoscopic release. From February 1994 to January 1996, 39 carpal tunnel releases were performed by percutaneous method in 30 patients (3 males and 27 females) at the Chonnam University Hospital. The patients age ranged from 42 to 67 years (average 54.8 years). The duration of the symptoms ranged from 3 months to 10 years. According to Brown's outcome analysis, results were as follows. 1. Persistent pain and paresthesia were noted in only 3 cases (7.7%) at 24 week postoperatively. 2. Two-Point discrimination on the index finger was improved significantly at 12 week postoperatively (p<0.05). In electromyographic study, conduction delay of motor and sensory fibers was diminished significantly at 4 week postoperatively (p<0.05). 3. Functional outcomes (grip strength, pinch strength, scar tenderness and return to work) were showed good and excellent result. We concluded that percutaneous decompression is one of the less morbid method for decompressing the carpal canal and relief of symptoms for the patient.