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Seminars in Neurosurgery 2001; 12(1): 013-018
DOI: 10.1055/s-2001-12995
Copyright © 2001 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc., 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA. Tel.: +1(212) 584-4662

Endoscopic Carpal Tunnel Release

Elizabeth Moran1 , Neal J. Naff2
  • 1Department of Orthopedics, National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, MD
  • 2Mid-Atlantic Neurosurgical Asociates, Baltimore, MD.
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Publication History

Publication Date:
31 December 2001 (online)

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ABSTRACT

Endoscopic carpal tunnel release in an effective method to relieve compression of the median nerve at the carpal tunnel. The effectiveness in terms of relief of symptoms is comparable to the effectiveness of open carpal tunnel release. When performed correctly the procedure is reliably safe, but there are numerous procedural details that must be attended to in order to perform the procedure safely and effectively. Those procedural details are outlined in the following chapter. The risk of a significant complication is higher than that associated with an open carpal tunnel release due to the more limited visualization. When performed without a complication, endoscopic carpal tunnel release is better tolerated than an open procedure due to decreased wound pain and earlier return to full activities.

KEYWORD

Carpal tunnel syndrome - endoscopic surgery - carpal tunnel release

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