[What's new concerning carpal tunnel syndrome?]

Despite its frequency, carpal tunnel syndrome is still a subject of debate in the literature. Is a clinical diagnosis sufficient to justify the indication for surgery? Electromyography appears to play a very important role and, apart from its diagnostic and medicolegal value, may reveal associated lesions able to account for persistence of certain symptoms in the medium- or long-term; about which the patients must be informed. More general social questions are raised by the recognition of occupational carpal tunnel syndrome and its economic implications. Medical treatment by nocturnal resting splint still has a real place and endoscopy constitutes an alternative to classical open surgery. Surgical techniques must comply with rigorous rules, the only way of ensuring security and prevention of recurrences, which are difficult to treat.