[Endoscopic opening of the carpal canal]

A prospective study of 280 endoscopic operations of the carpal canal using the AGEE technique were reported. The first 80 cases were studied separately from the 200 subsequent cases. In the first series, the only complication was the need for an incision in 6 cases because of technical problems or anatomic variants (13%). An increase in the degree of paraesthesia was observed in 8% of the cases. In the 200 subsequent cases, one only required a classical incision and the lubrication of the blade was sufficient to reduce the frequency of post-operative aggravation of the paraesthesia to 1%. Five percent of the patients complained spontaneously of pain in the palm of the hand but a rate of 49% was found after questioning. Grip force fell less than after classical opening and recovery was more rapid and more complete.