[The efficacy of naftidrofuryl on unexpected autonomic symptoms following carpal tunnel surgery]

Abstract

Symptoms of sympathetic lability occur 30 days after carpal tunnel surgery in about 2.6% cases. A double-blind placebo controlled clinical trial of naftidrofuryl was conducted in 195 patients. It demonstrated that these symptoms occur during the two-week-period after surgery, and that some patients are particularly exposed to an unexpected course (i.e. women and more than 50 years) during the third and fourth weeks after surgery. In this study, patients treated with naftidrofuryl showed a reduction of some symptoms of sympathetic lability, and stabilisation of the unfavourable course observed in patients with placebo; this preventive efficacy of naftidrofuryl could be due to its 5-HT2 receptor blocking action, which is responsible for vasoconstriction and platelet and erythrocytes aggregation. Naftidrofuryl though improves arteriolar haemodynamics, limiting the development of pain and oedema.