Double Incision Technique for Carpal Tunnel Release

Abstract

A preliminary study was conducted to evaluate the immediate postoperative recovery and sodoeconomic efficacy after the surgical release of carpal tunnel syndrome by double incision technique. Sixty cases of carpal tunnel syndrome were operated by one surgeon between 1993 and 1995, and 44 cases in 39 patients were available for this study. Surgery was performed under axillary block, and the patients were evaluated preoperatively and at 3 and 6 weeks postoperatively. The evaluation was focused on the immediate recovery in terms of subjective symptoms of pain and paresthesia, local tenderness, strength of grip and pinch power and postoperative disability. It was observed that surgical release of carpal tunnel syndrome utilizing double incision technique was as effective as seen in the endoscopic release in terms of quicker recovery of pain, local tenderness and strength. It was also noted that this double incision technique was as safe and economically beneficial as observed in the conventional open procedure.