[Carpal tunnel syndrome. A comparison of endoscopic and open surgical treatment]

In a prospective study, we compared open and endoscopic carpal tunnel release. From 1993 to 1994, 40 patients were operated. In 20 patients (group A) we performed an endoscopic release of the retinaculum flexorum combined with a release of the ligamentum carpi palmare. In 20 patients (group B), we performed an open release of the retinaculum flexorum, of the ligamentum carpi palmare and a neurolysis of the nervus medianus. Preoperatively, we did X-ray, clinical and electroneurographic examinations. All patients in group A and B were controlled ten days, six weeks, and three months postoperatively. The control of the electroneurographic parameters was done three months postoperatively. We did not find any significant difference between the two groups as to the X-rays, the clinical parameters and the results of the improvement of the median motor latency, the NPA and the median sensory latency. In group A as well as in group B, the improvement of the sensory latency and the distal latency was significantly higher, the improvement of the distal latency was significantly higher in group B. The duration of the surgery was significant shorter as well as the return to work for the patients with an endoscopic release.