Results of 1245 endoscopic carpal tunnel decompressions

Between 1994 and 2000, the senior author performed 1245 endoscopic carpal tunnel decompressions. There were 291 bilateral cases. A telephone review was conducted of those patients who had not had an early excellent result, or conversion to an open procedure. Ninety-four per cent follow-up of patients in this group was achieved; 88% had an early excellent result with no subsequent problems. In 33 hands (3%) the carpal tunnel was opened, because of abnormal anatomy or poor view. A further 5% had a late excellent result. Seventeen hands (1%) have required subsequent open decompression, with adherence of the median nerve often found at revision surgery. Another 24 hands (2%) had a poor result. Fourteen hands (1%) had minor symptoms and 26 (2%) had another diagnosis of upper limb pathology. In contrast to other series, there was only one case of damage to an important structure - the radial digital nerve of the thumb.