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CC BY-NC 4.0 · Arch Plast Surg 2019; 46(04): 350-358
DOI: 10.5999/aps.2018.00535
Original Article

Effectiveness of mini-open carpal tunnel release: An outcome study

Lieselotte R. van den Broeke 
Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Hand Surgery, Gelre Hospital, Apeldoorn, the Netherlands
,
Willem. J. Theuvenet 
Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Hand Surgery, Gelre Hospital, Apeldoorn, the Netherlands
,
Jan. J. van Wingerden 
Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Hand Surgery, Gelre Hospital, Apeldoorn, the Netherlands
Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Hand Surgery, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
› Author AffiliationsThe authors gratefully acknowledge the assistance of Hanna van Eijsden, physiotherapist (data collection) and Dr. Hester van der Zaag-Loonen, epidemiologist (data analysis).
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Background Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common peripheral entrapment neuropathy with a high morbidity and healthcare-related costs. Currently there is no consensus about the best treatment option. The purpose of this prospective cohort study conducted at a single institution was to evaluate the clinical outcomes and patient satisfaction following a mini-open carpal tunnel release for idiopathic CTS.

Methods A total of 72 patients (53 female and 19 male patients; mean age, 57.8±15.3 years; range, 24–94 years) had a mini-open carpal tunnel release performed by a single senior surgeon between June 2015 and June 2016. The patients were evaluated preoperatively, and at 3 and 12 months post-intervention. At every follow-up, the Boston Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Questionnaire (BCTSQ) and visual analogue scale (VAS) scores for pain and satisfaction were completed. Digital sensibility (using Semmes- Weinstein monofilaments) was assessed and pinch and grip strengths were measured.

Results Statistically significant and clinically relevant improvement was found in terms of digital sensibility, grip and pinch strength (except for 2-point pinch), BCTSQ scores and pain scores. The complication rate was minimal, and no major complications occurred. Two patients experienced recurrence. The availability of follow-up records (including patient-reported outcomes, BCTSQ and VAS scores, and the complication rate) at 1-year post-intervention varied between 69% and 74% (50–53 patients) depending on which parameter was assessed. Patient satisfaction was high (mean, 80.9±26.0; range, 0–100).

Conclusions This study demonstrates that mini-incision carpal tunnel release is clinically effective in the short and long term.

Keywords

Carpal tunnel syndrome - Patient reported outcome measures - Treatment outcome - Decompression, surgical


Publication History

Received: 26 May 2018

Accepted: 01 February 2019

Article published online:
28 March 2022

© 2019. The Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons. This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License, permitting unrestricted noncommercial use, distribution, and reproduction so long as the original work is given appropriate credit. Contents may not be used for commercial purposes. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/)

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