Endoscopic carpal tunnel release. A new approach to carpal tunnel syndrome

Endoscopic carpal tunnel decompression is a new and effective way of relieving CTS. It shortens the recovery period and the length of time required to resume normal postoperative activity. The majority of our patients have experienced relief of symptoms and, in instances where the opposite hand was affected by CTS, have returned for that hand to be surgically repaired. Because there is less trauma with this method, and because of the patient's rapid recovery, it is common to perform bilateral releases. It is thought that patients who require surgical intervention will choose to have the procedure done sooner because of the availability of endoscopy, thereby decreasing the incidence of entrapment neuropathy that occurs late in the CTS process.