Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Surgery Anti-Adhesion Gel Is Effective?

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY The purpose of the current study is to assess the efficacy of anti-adhesion gel on the symptom severity and functional outcomes after mini incision open surgery for carpal tunnel syndrom (CTS). MATERIAL AND METHODS A total of 200 CTS patients (154 women, 46 men) were included in this study. Group I (n = 100; 78 women, 22 men) did not receive local administration of anti-adhesion gel, while anti-adhesion gel consisting of hyaluronic acid-carboxymethylcellulose (Seprafilm®, SanofiBiosurgery, Bridgewater, NJ, USA) was locally applied to patients in Group II (n = 100; 76 women, 24 men). All patients recruited in this study had received conservative treatment comprised of non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs, steroid injection, replacement of vitamin B and stabilization with splints. Cases that did not benefit from these therapeutic options during one year were assigned as candidates for surgical treatment. RESULTS There was no significant difference between two groups in terms of mean age, gender distribution, preoperative and postoperative Boston questionnaire (BQ) scores, difference of BQ scores after the operation, and the presence of the disease on the left or right side. According to postoperative 1. Year results, there was no significant difference between two groups. CONCLUSIONS Results of the current study demonstrated that use of anti-adhesion gel during mini incision open surgery for CTS did not bring about significant advantages in terms of functional or symptomatic outcomes. Further, controlled trials on larger series are warranted to understand the beneficial effects of anti-adhesive materials during the surgical treatment of CTS. Key words: anti-adhesion gel, Boston questionnaire, carpal tunnel syndrome.