[Endoscopic surgery in the management of carpal tunnel syndrome]

With the spreading of the "minimal invasive surgery" the interest was attracted in the last years in hand surgery too by the endoscopic technique. Authors describe the closed operative treatment according to Chow of the carpal tunnel syndrome. The instruments are presented and the single steps of the method was first used in detail. After exercises on cadavera the method was first used in clinical praxis by them in this country. On the basis of early experiences and the literature, the indication, the possible complications, the advantages and disadvantages of the method are analysed. According their opinion, with sufficient practice and the careful choice of indication, the endoscopic liberation of the carpal tunnel promises to be a remarkable therapeutic possibility.