Results of endoscopic management of carpal tunnel syndrome.

This paper is a retrospective study of 27 women with carpal tunnel syndrome (39 hands) who underwent a new endoscopic operative procedure utilizing the Universal Subcutaneous Endoscope system developed by the lead author. Operations on 199 hands were performed under local anesthesia on an outpatient basis. The etiology was considered idiopathic in all cases. Complete preoperative and postoperative clinical and electrophysiologic data were analyzed in 39 hands. The follow-up period ranged from 12 to 45.8 months (mean, 18.3 months). Symptoms of sensory disturbances disappeared in an average of 20 weeks in all patients. Electrophysiologic studies showed definite improvement when compared with preoperative studies. No complications were recorded. Clinical and electrophysiologic results showed that the less-invasive management of carpal tunnel syndrome by endoscopy is safe and effective.