[Complications of endoscopic retinaculum dissection]

Abstract

Reviewing the literature on endoscopic carpal tunnel release (biportal Chow-technique and uniportal Agee-technique), we found 31 different intra- and postoperative complications. Of these, 14 affected nerve structures, four vessel structures, two tendon structures, two bony structures, and nine surrounding tissues. The most common complications were analyzed taking anatomical and pathological variations of the carpal tunnel into consideration. In our own prospective series of 88 endoscopic releases of the carpal tunnel using the Agee technique, we had eleven complications: one patient suffered residual symptoms, five patients experienced transient ulnar neurapraxia, and one patient complained of intense pain in the middle- and ringfinger after the operation. In four cases, intraoperative change of technique from endoscopic to open became necessary, due to poor visualization.