[Experiences with endoscopic carpal tunnel release]

Between 1994 and 2000 122 open and endoscopic carpal tunnel releases were performed. 82 of them were analysed retrospectively with major interest in security and results of the endoscopic technique. 39 patients were treated with an open, 41 patients with an endoscopic carpal tunnel release (26 using the two portal technique, 17 using the single portal technique). No major irreversible complications were reported, regarding the outcome their were no significant differences. From the 39 patients with open carpal tunnel release nine had persistent complaints and one of them was reoperated because of an injury of the motoric branch of the median nerve. Eight patients out of 26 treated with the two portal technique still had complaints and one needed to be reoperated because of excessive fibrosis around the median nerve. From the 17 patients operated with the single portal technique five had persistent complaints but no reoperation was necessary. Our study showed similar findings regarding security and results using the three different operation methods. But there were no advantages for the endoscopic carpal tunnel release because of the more atraumatic procedure.