Two-portal endoscopic carpal tunnel release surgery: report of early experience

1997 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. E7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cynthia B. Piccirilli ◽  
Christopher I. Shaffrey ◽  
Jacob N. Young ◽  
LaVerne R. Lovell

Endoscopic carpal tunnel release is increasingly performed to treat median nerve entrapment neuropathy at the transverse carpal ligament. Proponents of these procedures claim that there are early postoperative advantages to be gained by the patient in the form of decreased pain and weakness, thus facilitating an earlier return to function. However, serious complications associated with the use of these techniques have been reported, especially during the surgeon's purported initial steep learning curve. A prospective analysis of the authors' first 51 cases using a two-portal endoscopic technique was conducted to determine whether these learning curve complications occurred. The authors did experience a learning curve; however, it was not significant. They encountered no serious complications and patient satisfaction was very high. It is concluded that the procedure is relatively easy to learn and safe to perform.

2019 ◽  
pp. 989-994
Author(s):  
Antony Hazel ◽  
Neil F. Jones

Conventional open carpal tunnel release surgery is one of most successful procedures in hand surgery and has been demonstrated to be an effective treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome. However, a known sequelae in some individuals who undergo the procedure is “pillar” pain. In an effort to avoid this condition and help people return to work more quickly, the endoscopic technique was developed. Endoscopic carpal tunnel release offers a minimally invasive alternative to other traditional techniques with similar outcomes. By placing the incision proximal to the transverse carpal ligament there is potential for decreased scar sensitivity and pillar pain. The technique is technically demanding. The superficial palmar arch and common digital nerve to the ring and middle fingers are at risk for injury during the procedure. With adherence to anatomical landmarks and the proper visualization, the surgery may be safely performed.


2000 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 9-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wallop Adulkasem ◽  
Pinit Hirunyachot ◽  
Chullatham Prathumsuwan

Endoscopic carpal tunnel release (ECTR) was introduced into Thailand when this technique became widely accepted. However, the technique was limited to only a few institutions because of the training required and the very high cost of the instruments. Because of the economic crisis in Thailand, most hospitals in the public health ministry had no budget to invest in new instruments. However, new technology cannot be ignored so the authors modified some unused instruments in conjunction with an arthroscope in order to perform ECTR. A 5 cm by 4 mm slot was made at the mid-portion of an old unused 5 mm arthroscopic sheath. One end of this sheath was reshaped to fit the meniscectomy hook blade. A 4.5 mm Steinmann pin was reshaped to be the obturator of the arthroscopic sheath. ECTR was performed with this instrument in conjunction with an arthroscope (modified from Chow's 2-portals technique). The transverse carpal ligament was clearly viewed and identified, and the transverse carpal ligament was completely divided by the menisectomy hook blade. The operation time was 10 to 20 minutes. 30 patients received ECTR with this set of instruments, and they were completely relieved from the symptoms and returned to work early without any complications. The advantages of this instrument are that it is very cheap, it has a low learning curve, and it is safe and effective.


2021 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 230949902199340
Author(s):  
Kotaro Sato ◽  
Kenya Murakami ◽  
Yoshikuni Mimata ◽  
Gaku Takahashi ◽  
Minoru Doita

Purpose: Supraretinacular endoscopic carpal tunnel release (SRECTR) is a technique in which an endoscope is inserted superficial to the flexor retinaculum through a subcutaneous tunnel. The benefits of this method include a clear view for the surgeon and absence of median nerve compression. Surgeons can operate with a familiar view of the flexor retinaculum and median nerve downward, similar to open surgery. This study aimed to investigate the learning curve for SRECTR, an alternate method for carpal tunnel release, and evaluate its complications and the functional outcomes using a disposable commercial kit. Methods: We examined the open conversion rates and complications associated with SRECTR in 200 consecutive patients performed by two surgeons. We compared the operative time operated by a single surgeon. We evaluated outcomes in 191 patients according to Kelly’s grading system. Patients’ mean follow-up period was 12.7 months. Results: Nine patients required conversion to open surgery. There were no injuries to the nerves and tendons and no hematoma or incomplete dissection of the flexor retinaculum. The operative times varied between 11 and 34 minutes. We obtained the following results based on Kelly’s grading of outcomes: excellent in 116, good in 59, fair in 13, and poor in 3 patients. Conclusions: We found no patients with neurapraxia, major nerve injury, flexor tendon injury, superficial palmar arch injury, and hematoma. Although there was a learning curve associated with SRECTR, we performed 200 consecutive cases without neurovascular complications. This method may be a safe alternative to minimally invasive carpal tunnel surgery.


Hand Surgery ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 12 (03) ◽  
pp. 205-209 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keiichi Murata ◽  
Hiroshi Yajima ◽  
Naoki Maegawa ◽  
Koji Hattori ◽  
Yoshinori Takakura

Segmental carpal tunnel pressure was measured in 12 hands of 11 idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome patients before and after two-portal endoscopic carpal tunnel release. We aimed to determine at which part of the carpal tunnel the median nerve could be compressed, and to evaluate whether carpal tunnel pressure could be reduced sufficiently at all segments of the carpal tunnel after the surgery. Pressure measurements were performed using a pressure guide wire. The site with the highest pressure corresponded to the area around the hamate hook; the pressure in the area distal to the flexor retinaculum could be pathogenically high (more than 30 mmHg) before the surgery. The two-portal endoscopic carpal tunnel release achieved sufficient pressure reduction in all segments of the carpal tunnel when the flexor retinaculum and the fibrous structure between the flexor retinaculum and the palmar aponeurosis were completely released.


2009 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 208-211 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. OKUTSU ◽  
I. HAMANAKA ◽  
A. YOSHIDA

Perioperative Guyon’s canal and carpal canal pressure in one-forearm portal endoscopic carpal tunnel release surgery were measured in resting position and during active power gripping in 66 hands. This was done using the continuous infusion technique with a local anaesthetic and without pneumatic tourniquet. Immediate mean postoperative Guyon’s canal and carpal canal pressure decreased in both measurements. During active power gripping, postoperative Guyon’s canal pressure was less than 40 mmHg in 61 hands, however, this increased to over 40 mmHg in five hands. In these five hands, Guyon’s canal syndrome did not develop. Guyon’s canal and carpal canal pressures were only correlated during postoperative active power gripping. It remains unclear whether immediate postoperative Guyon’s canal pressure correlates with higher pressures a few days later as reported in cases of transient postoperative Guyon’s canal syndrome.


1998 ◽  
Vol 88 (5) ◽  
pp. 817-826 ◽  
Author(s):  
David F. Jimenez ◽  
Scott R. Gibbs ◽  
Adam T. Clapper

Object. The goal of this paper is to present a critical review of the endoscopic procedures currently in use for the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome. Endoscopic techniques and outcomes are discussed. Methods. An extensive review of published articles on the subject of endoscopic carpal tunnel release surgery is presented, encompassing six endoscopic techniques used to treat carpal tunnel syndrome. Since the first report in 1987, 7091 patients have undergone 8068 operations. The overall success rate has been 96.52%, with a complication rate of 2.67% and a failure rate of 2.61%. The mean time to return to work in patients not receiving Workers' Compensation was 17.8 days, ranging between 10.8 and 22.3 days. The most common complications were transient paresthesias of the ulnar and median nerves. Other complications included superficial palmar arch injuries, reflex sympathetic dystrophy, flexor tendon lacerations, and incomplete transverse carpal ligament division. In many studies in which open and endoscopic techniques were compared, it was reported that patients in the the latter group experienced significantly less pain and returned to work and activities of daily living earlier. Conclusions. Success and complication rates of endoscopic carpal tunnel release surgery are similar to those for standard open procedures.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document