[Acute carpal tunnel syndrome after trauma: a series of 26 cases]

The aim of the study is to evaluate the results of the median nerve release at wrist as a part of acute carpal tunnel syndrome. This is a retrospective study about 26 cases of acute carpal tunnel syndrome following isolated injury of the wrist. Clinical evaluation of the median nerve function was performed before and after release. A classical median nerve release was performed in emergency eventually associated with stabilization of bone lesions. The population included was young, the mean age was 26 (range 4-52) years, frequently male (sex-ratio 3.5:1). The wrist trauma was direct in 75% of all cases and oftentimes with high velocity. The median nerve was deficient in the first examination. The average time from injury to surgery range from three hours to five days. The release was performed in emergency. The latest follow-up showed a complete recovery of the nerve's function in 85% and an incomplete in the rest (15%).The mean prognosis factor was the release time. Wrist trauma particularly with high velocity should lead to evaluation of median nerve function and to an emergency release when acute median neuropathy appeared.