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Updated: May 20, 2025
Metacarpal Small Incision for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Published on: April 5, 2024
An Anatomical Variation to Consider for a Safe Carpal Tunnel Surgery: Transverse Carpal Muscle
Saygi Uygur1, Tolga Akbiyik, Ayse Esin Polat
1Mersin University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Neurosurgery, Mersin, Türkiye.
Aim:
To investigate the incidence of transverse carpal muscle (TCM) occurrence around carpal tunnel which may lead to carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), and cause disorientation of surgeons during the surgery.
Material And Methods:
We reviewed patients in our department between January 2007 and March 2021 to identify those who underwent surgical treatment for CTS. A total of 62 carpal tunnel release surgeries were investigated, and the frequency of TCM occurrence was evaluated.
Results:
There were 3 (4.8%) accessory TCM overlying transverse carpal ligament (TCL). All variations occurred in the left hand of the patients. Of the three cases, two were female and one was male.
Conclusion:
There is currently insufficient evidence in the literature to suggest that TCM is causing CTS. To further investigate the origin of these muscles, cadaveric dissections should be performed. Even if this variation isn?t causing CTS, especially during minimal invasive surgeries, this variation should be kept in mind to not lose orientation.
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