Study to Assess Outcome After Open and Closed Carpal Tunnel Decompression

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Hand Surgery
• Surgical Outcomes

Background:

• Carpal tunnel decompression (CTD) is a prevalent surgical intervention for hand conditions.
• Evaluating surgical techniques is crucial for optimizing patient recovery and outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the outcomes of open versus closed carpal tunnel decompression techniques.
• To assess the differences in patient recovery and functional status between the two CTD methods.

Main Methods:

• A comparative study analyzing data from 621 carpal tunnel decompression (CTD) procedures (358 open, 263 closed).
• Patient assessments included the Levine-Katz questionnaire, Semmes-Weinstein monofilament testing, grip, and pinch-grip strength.
• Evaluations were conducted preoperatively, at 6 months, and by a subset of patients at 12 months postoperatively.

Main Results:

• Closed CTD showed statistically better outcomes at the 6-month postoperative mark compared to open CTD.
• The observed differences in outcomes between open and closed CTD diminished by the 12-month postoperative stage.
• While long-term results were similar, closed CTD facilitated a more rapid recovery in the initial 6 months.

Conclusions:

• Both open and closed carpal tunnel decompression techniques yield comparable outcomes at 12 months post-surgery.
• Closed single-port carpal tunnel decompression offers an advantage in terms of accelerated recovery during the first six months.
• The choice of technique may influence the speed of initial recovery, but not necessarily the final long-term functional result.