Endoscopic carpal tunnel release. In favor.

The many studies presented in this article demonstrate that ECTR is not a procedure to be taken lightly. It is a demanding surgical exercise that requires exacting knowledge of the anatomy of the hand. It is not something that should be carried out by the surgeon who does an occasional carpal tunnel release. For those who do not meet these criteria, OCTR remains the procedure of choice. For those surgeons who are well trained and aware of the anatomy of the hand, however, ECTR allows them to provide their patients with a safe, predictable solution to their carpal tunnel syndrome that will allow them a rapid return to normal activities. Further studies, however, will be required to see how well ECTR holds up to the test of time. Long-term studies currently are underway and should be available in the not-too-distant future.