Bilateral carpal tunnel surgery in one operation: Retrospective study.

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Neurosurgery
• Hand Surgery

Background:

• Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a prevalent entrapment neuropathy.
• Bilateral CTS affects a significant portion of patients, ranging from 22% to 87% incidence.
• Evaluating simultaneous bilateral surgical treatment is crucial for patient management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess patient satisfaction and clinical outcomes after one-stage bilateral endoscopic carpal tunnel release.
• To determine the efficacy and patient acceptance of simultaneous surgical intervention for bilateral CTS.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective study of patients diagnosed with bilateral CTS.
• Outpatient endoscopic bilateral neurolysis of the median nerve.
• Postoperative assessment via surgeon consultation or telephone interview, including satisfaction questionnaires and the Quick-Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (Quick-DASH) score.

Main Results:

• 27 patients completed follow-up (average 46 months) after simultaneous bilateral surgery.
• Average Quick-DASH score was 6.78, indicating good functional recovery.
• 92.5% of patients reported satisfaction, and 96% would opt for the same procedure again.

Conclusions:

• One-stage endoscopic bilateral carpal tunnel release is a beneficial and highly satisfactory treatment option.
• This approach offers advantages for patients, surgeons, and anesthesiologists.
• The procedure is best suited for motivated patients who specifically request this intervention.