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. 2014 May 14;9(5):e97499.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0097499. eCollection 2014.

Temporal trend of carpal tunnel release surgery: a population-based time series analysis

Naif Fnais  1 , Tara Gomes  2 , James Mahoney  3 , Sami Alissa  4 , Muhammad Mamdani  5
Affiliations

Temporal trend of carpal tunnel release surgery: a population-based time series analysis

Naif Fnais et al. PLoS One. .

Abstract

Background: Carpal tunnel release (CTR) is among the most common hand surgeries, although little is known about its pattern. In this study, we aimed to investigate temporal trends, age and gender variation and current practice patterns in CTR surgeries.

Methods: We conducted a population-based time series analysis among over 13 million residents of Ontario, who underwent operative management for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) from April 1, 1992 to March 31, 2010 using administrative claims data.

Results: The primary analysis revealed a fairly stable procedure rate of approximately 10 patients per 10,000 population per year receiving CTRs without any significant, consistent temporal trend (p = 0.94). Secondary analyses revealed different trends in procedure rates according to age. The annual procedure rate among those age >75 years increased from 22 per 10,000 population at the beginning of the study period to over 26 patients per 10,000 population (p<0.01) by the end of the study period. CTR surgical procedures were approximately two-fold more common among females relative to males (64.9% vs. 35.1 respectively; p<0.01). Lastly, CTR procedures are increasingly being conducted in the outpatient setting while procedures in the inpatient setting have been declining steadily - the proportion of procedures performed in the outpatient setting increased from 13% to over 30% by 2010 (p<0.01).

Conclusion: Overall, CTR surgical-procedures are conducted at a rate of approximately 10 patients per 10,000 population annually with significant variation with respect to age and gender. CTR surgical procedures in ambulatory-care facilities may soon outpace procedure rates in the in-hospital setting.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Patient Surgery Rates, stratified by age (per 10,000 population).
Figure 2
Figure 2. Surgery and Patient Rates, stratified by gender (per 10,000 population).
Figure 3
Figure 3. Surgery Rates, Stratified by Location (in vs. out-of-hospital).
Figure 4
Figure 4. NCS and surgeries rate.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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