Cost, Value, and Patient Satisfaction in Carpal Tunnel Surgery

The cost of carpal tunnel release (CTR) surgery can be decreased and patient satisfaction increased by a few relatively simple changes. Although cost estimates vary in the literature, most investigators agree that open CTR costs less than endoscopic CTR, and the clinic procedure room or ambulatory surgery center is cheaper than the ambulatory surgery center, which is less than the hospital. Patient satisfaction can be increased by making office visits more patient-centered and improving the quality of dialogue between the surgeon and patient.