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Meta-Analysis
. 2015 Jan 28:10:12.
doi: 10.1186/s13018-014-0148-6.

Endoscopic versus open carpal tunnel release for idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Dongqing Zuo  1 , Zifei Zhou  2 , Hongsheng Wang  3 , Yuxin Liao  4 , Longpo Zheng  5 , Yingqi Hua  6 , Zhengdong Cai  7
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

Endoscopic versus open carpal tunnel release for idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Dongqing Zuo et al. J Orthop Surg Res. .

Abstract

The objective of this study is to do a meta-analysis of the literature and compare the safety and efficacy of endoscopic carpal tunnel release (ECTR) and open carpal tunnel release (OCTR) for idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). A comprehensive literature search of the electronic databases MEDLINE, EMBASE, Google Scholar, and the Cochrane Controlled Trial Register was undertaken for randomized studies reporting carpal tunnel syndrome treated with ECTR or OCTR. The quality of randomized trials was critically assessed. Pooled relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for safety and efficacy outcome variables were calculated by fixed-effect or random-effect methods with RevMan v.5.1 provided by the Cochrane Collaboration. A total of 13 randomized trials were included by total retrieve and riddling. The results of our meta-analysis showed no significant difference in the overall complication rate (RR = 1.34, 95% CI [0.74, 2.43], P = 0.34), subjective satisfaction (RR = 1.0, 95% CI [0.93, 1.08], P = 0.92), time to return to work (mean difference = -3.52 [-8.15, 1.10], P = 0.14), hand grip and pinch strength, and the operative time (mean difference = -1.89, 95% CI [-5.84, 2.06]) between patients in the ECTR and OCTR groups (P = 0.16, 0.70, and 0.35, respectively). The rate of hand pain (RR = 0.73, 95% CI [0.53, 0.93], P = 0.02) in the ECTR group was significantly lower than that in the OCTR group. ECTR treatment seemed to cause more reversible postoperative nerve injuries as compared with OCTR (RR = 2.38, 95% CI [0.98, 5.77], P = 0.05). Although ECTR significantly reduced postoperative hand pain, it increased the possibility of reversible postoperative nerve injury in patients with idiopathic CTS. No statistical difference in the overall complication rate, subjective satisfaction, the time to return to work, postoperative grip and pinch strength, and operative time was observed between the two groups of patients.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Study inclusion.
Figure 2
Figure 2
ROB assessment for included RCTs.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Forest plot of overall complication and subgroup analysis.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Forest plot showing comparison of operative time of five studies.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Patient subjective satisfaction.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Meta-analysis of hand function.
Figure 7
Figure 7
Comparison of hand function 12 weeks after surgery.
Figure 8
Figure 8
Comparison of postoperative pain complaints.
Figure 9
Figure 9
Comparison of time to return to work.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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