Functional Outcomes of 300 Carpal Tunnel Release: 1.5 cm Longitudinal Mini-incision

There is an opportunity for median nerve decompression by open surgery in carpal tunnel syndrome which is the most common surgical procedure in neurosurgical practice. The aim of this study is to evaluate the long-term outcomes of carpal tunnel release with 1.5 cm longitudinal mini-incision technique with regarding the effectiveness and safety.

For this prospective study, 300 hands for 188 patients with advanced carpal tunnel syndrome who had indication for neurolysis underwent carpal tunnel release through a 1.5 cm longitudinal mini-incision between March 2011 and 2015. There were 132 (70%) females and 56 (30%) males with a mean age of 40 ± 29.5 years (ranging from 24 to 73) and female to male: About 2.56.178 operations were performed for the right hand and 122 for the left hand. Preoperatively, all patients were evaluated with clinical examination and nerve conduction studies. The clinical effects of the patients assessed with the Global Symptom Score (GSS) and Visual Analog Patient Satisfaction Scale.

The mean follow-up period was 18.6 ± 9.3 months (12-30 months). Postoperatively, 2% (six hands) complained of residual mild pain with tenderness of scar and only 1% (three hands) complained of median nerve damage (neuropraxy) with tingling and numbness but was temporary which improved after 1 week. Five patients (seven hands) loosed strength of their wrists, but muscle force of abductor pollicis brevis reinforced after 1 month. There is no evidence of local infection, stiffness, loss of some wrist strength, or recurrence of the disorder. Postoperative GSS scoring obviously improved than preoperative (P < 0.002). There is no patient who underwent reoperation. The mean time recovery appeared almost 2 weeks.

1.5 cm longitudinal mini-incision method in carpal tunnel syndrome decompression showed satisfactory pain relief, wound healing, and nontender scar with good functional outcomes. The technique was performed safely without major complication.