Early experience with endoscopic carpal tunnel release

Abstract

83 hands in 69 patients had endoscopic carpal tunnel release by the Chow method over a 14-month period. 78% of these had a satisfactory outcome with relief of symptoms and no complications. Poor results were explained by incomplete ligament division (five patients), wrong diagnosis (two hands), and post-operative nerve problems (five hands). Two patients after Colles' fractures had unsatisfactory results. Serious complications included two median nerve lacerations. One of these was clearly a result of deviation from the standard protocol. The authors believe that the technique has advantages over open release but they are divided on whether the benefits outweigh the risk of nerve injury.