Onset of Trigger Finger after Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Surgery: Assessment of Open and Endoscopic Techniques

Objective  The present study aimed to determine the frequency of trigger finger (TF) onset after surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) using an open (OT) or an endoscopic technique (ET). As a secondary endpoint, the present study also compared paresthesia remission and residual pain rates in patients submitted to both techniques. Methods  Trigger finger onset and remission rates of paresthesia and pain at the median nerve territory was verified prospectively in a series of adult patients submitted to an OT procedure ( n  = 34). These findings were compared with a retrospective cohort submitted to ET ( n  = 33) by the same surgical team. Patients were evaluated with a structured questionnaire in a return visit at least 6 months after surgery. Results  Sixty-seven patients were evaluated. There was no difference regarding trigger finger onset (OT, 26.5% versus ET, 27.3%; p  = 0.94) and pain (OT, 76.5% versus ET, 84.8%; p  = 0.38). Patients submitted to OT had fewer paresthesia complaints compared with those operated using ET (OT, 5.9% versus ET, 24.2%; p  = 0.03). Conclusions  In our series, the surgical technique did not influence trigger finger onset and residual pain rates. Patients submitted to OT had less complaints of residual postoperative paresthesia.