[Preissler endoscopic carpal ligament release. Experiences from 1,000 operations]

To reduce the postoperative morbidity different methods of endoscopic carpal tunnel release have been developed since 1989. We report our results and experiences with the method described by Preissler. Since its introduction in our clinic 1995, 1,000 patients have been operated until now. Out of 477 with an electrophysiological examination, 396 patients (83%) showed no symptoms. In three cases it was necessary to change to an open approach during operation, there were no other intraoperative complications. To evaluate our results we sent a questionnaire to 32 of our patients that were operated on one hand with an open technique and on the other hand with the endoscopic technique of Preissler. The results demonstrated that the endoscopic method was significantly better. From our experience endoscopic technique for carpal tunnel release Preissler's is a safe, well accepted, easy for learning and cheap alternative to the open procedure.