Comparison Of Minimal Invasion Versus Open Surgical Of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Objective: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a common compression syndrome in peripheral nerve, it is characterized by pain and anesthesia in the median nerve distribution of the hand due to compression of the nerve within the carpal tunnel in the wrist. By studying the clinical data of 63 cases 66 sides of idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome that were treated in our hospital from Jun 2003 to Jun 2006 retrospectively,Compared with the indications of the mini-traumatic procedure ( including endoscopic carpal tunnel release, ECTR;less incision) and open carpal tunnel release(OCTR), We get to learn the advantage and disadvantage of the former analysis thus making the CTS treatment in a safe and efficient procedure.Methods: By sampling the clinical data of 63 cases 66 sides of idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome that were treated in our hospital from Jun 2003 to Jun 2006 retrospectively, patients were all females, their average age was 49.4(33-68) years, their average course of disease was 10.2 (3-21) months, every procedure was achieved by 21 patients (22 sides), the postoperative evaluation includes Kelly's standards, each patient's symptom, amelioration, complication, operation time, hospitalization time, RSD, and the time required to resume normal lifestyle in out-patient clinic(OPD). Analyzed by analysis of variance Chi-Square test and T test, P value was set on 0.05.Results: Over average ten months of continuous visit after surgery, All cases were followed up without the complications of incision infection,ulceration and tendon, nerve or vascular injuries. We can conclude that there is no significant difference between the mini-traumatic procedure group and the open CTR group in regard to the symptom amelioration. In comparison to open CTR, the mini-traumatic procedure CTR decreased operation time and hospitalization time, less pillar pain, and less time needed to resume normal lifestyle and activity (P <0.01 ).Conclusions: Compared with the OCTR method, the minimal invasion method has the advantage of smaller skin scar, less pillar pain, less time consuming, and share the same therapeutic results. It is a safe and effective method for treating idiopathic CTS.