经手掌近侧小切口的腕管切开松解减压术

目的 报告使用手掌近侧小切口的腕管切开松解减压术的疗效。方法 自大、小鱼际纹交界处向远侧腕横纹做纵行切口，长2～2．5cm，直视下切开屈肌支持带，解除正中神经卡压。术后随访并与同期采用传统长切口的病例比较，观察小切口的疗效。结果 随访病例19例30腕，其中小切口6例11腕，长切口13例19腕，它们在手指麻木、腕痛、握力及两点辨别觉改善等方面无明显差异，在切口长度、手术时间、恢复正常生活与工作时间以及术后瘢痕触痛、墩柱部疼痛等方面，前者优于后者。结论 经手掌近侧小切口实施腕管切开松解减压术，较传统方法有更多优点，是一种安全、有效的治疗方法。     

Complications of open carpal tunnel surgery: avoiding the pitfalls

We present a series of 31 patients treated for complications following open carpal tunnel syndrome surgery over a time period of 10 years. The most frequent complications encountered were major nerve lacerations at the wrist and thenar followed by persistent and recurrent symptoms, neuroma formation and wound infection. All patients had primary treatment by a different approach, by different spectrum of training surgeons; in only one patient, the initial operating surgeon was an orthopedic surgeon in hand fellowship training. In ten patients, the typical approach to the carpal tunnel has been used at the initial operation; an excessive ulnar-directed incision and a long proximal- and radial-directed incision have been observed in ten and eight patients, respectively; a mini-open incision and an incision that crossed the wrist perpendicular to the flexion creases have been observed in one and two patients, each. Most complications of open carpal tunnel surgery can be prevented by specialized training in hand surgery of the operative surgeon and proper operative technique, including a properly placed incision and exposure under magnification and direct vision.     

Which Outcome Measure is the Best? Evaluating Responsiveness of the Disabilities of the Arm,Shoulder, and Hand Questionnaire,the Michigan Hand Questionnaire and the Patient-Specific Functional Scale Following Hand and Wrist Surgery

The purpose of this study was to determine and compare the responsiveness of the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire, the Michigan Hand Questionnaire (MHQ), and the Patient-Specific Functional Scale (PSFS) in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome, wrist pain, finger contracture, or tumor. Eighty-one subjects prospectively completed each questionnaire shortly before and 3 and 6 months after surgery. Data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance and Newman–Keuls multiple comparison tests. Responsiveness to clinical change was calculated using standardized response means. The DASH was responsive for those with carpal tunnel syndrome (0.77), wrist pain (0.61), and tumor (0.55); the MHQ was responsive for those with carpal tunnel syndrome (1.04), wrist pain (0.87), and finger contracture (0.62); and the PSFS was responsive for those with carpal tunnel syndrome (0.65) and finger contracture (0.64). The interval during which the highest responsiveness occurred for the carpal tunnel, wrist pain, and finger contracture groups was the preoperative to 6-month period. The tumor group experienced the highest responsiveness during the preoperative to 3-month period. Our results indicate that one or more of the instruments evaluated are suitable for outcomes research related to surgery to treat carpal tunnel syndrome, wrist pain, finger contracture, and tumor.     

腕管切开松解减压术

腕管切开松解减压术一直被认为是外科治疗腕管综合征的经典方法，于1913年由Marie和Foix最先提出。其术式甚多，优、缺点各异，操作也有简有繁。现结合腕部神经解剖特点，将每一种术式归纳复述如下。     

腕管综合征术后柱状痛的临床研究

目的 探讨腕管综合征常规手术后柱状痛的原因.方法 2006年12月至2008年10月,对27例(30侧)腕管综合征的患者,采用常规腕管切开正中神经松解术进行治疗,术后随访测量柱状痛的面积及发生柱状痛患腕的功能.结果 术后随访10～30个月,11侧出现手术切口周围柱状感觉麻木区,8侧出现切口周围单侧或双侧柱状痛.结论 在出现柱状痛或柱状感觉麻木的患者中,柱状痛的面积和切口长度呈正相关;有无柱状痛不是评价腕管切开减压术(OCTR)疗效的标准;切口的类型与柱状痛的发生无相关.     

The use of free fat grafts in recalcitrant carpal tunnel: a retrospective study

We present a retrospective study evaluating the proclaimed beneficial effect of the use of fat grafts in patients with recalcitrant carpal tunnel syndrome. Twenty-one re-decompression operations with fat grafting (group I) and 20 routine re-decompressions (group II) were assessed postoperatively with a questionnaire, physical examination, and nerve conduction studies. Both groups were improved by the operative intervention, but no significant differences were found between the two surgical techniques for postoperative severity of symptoms, threshold sensation, pain assessment, nerve conduction velocities, or patients' satisfaction with the postoperative result. Only the postoperative functional status score of the fat grafted patients revealed a trend to a significantly worse outcome. The fat grafted patients sustained more problems with a hypersensitive scar at the wrist level immediately after surgery, although on long-term review there was no significant difference in scar tenderness between the two groups. We concluded that implantation of free fat grafts has not proved to be of additional benefit in patients with recalcitrant carpal tunnel syndrome.     

Standard open decompression in carpal tunnel syndrome compared with a modified open technique preserving the superficial skin nerves: a prospective randomized study

PURPOSE: A common surgical treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome is open carpal tunnel decompression. This involves skin incision followed by sharp dissection straight down through fat and palmar fascia to the transverse carpal ligament, which is then divided. The incidence of scar discomfort ranges from 19% to 61%, and its cause is not fully understood. We conducted a prospective randomized controlled trial to investigate whether preservation of superficial nerve branches crossing the incision site reduces the incidence and severity of postoperative scar pain after open carpal tunnel release. METHODS: Forty-two patients with bilateral idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome (84 hands) were included in the study. The patients were randomized to determine which hand was to have carpal tunnel decompression using a technique that would try to preserve the superficial nerve branches. The other hand had open carpal tunnel decompression without any attempt to preserve the superficial nerve branches. An assessment of each hand in each patient was performed immediately before surgery and at 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months after surgery. This assessment was performed with a questionnaire based on the Patient Evaluation Measure. RESULTS: We found no evidence of a difference in scar pain between the 2 methods at 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months. There was a significant difference in the length of surgery between the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS: Scar pain scores in this series of open carpal tunnel decompressions were similar, whether or not an attempt was made to identify and preserve superficial nerve branches crossing the wound.     

A randomized prospective study to assess the efficacy of two cold-therapy treatments following carpal tunnel release.

A prospective randomized study was performed comparing the efficacy of controlled cold therapy (CCT) with the efficacy of ice therapy in the postoperative treatment of 72 patients with carpal tunnel syndrome. Immediately after surgery, patients applied either a temperature-controlled cooling blanket (CCT) or a standard ice pack over their surgical dressings. Pain was assessed by visual analog scale and swelling by wrist circumference preoperatively, immediately after surgery, and on postoperative day 3. Patients kept log books of daily treatment times. Narcotic use (of Vicodin ES) was determined by pill count at day 3 and by daily log book recordings. Patients who used CCT showed significantly greater reduction in pain, edema (wrist circumference), and narcotic use at postoperative day 3 than did those using ice therapy. This study indicates that after carpal tunnel surgery, the use of CCT, compared with traditional ice therapy, provides patients with greater comfort and lessens the need for narcotics.     

Tenosynovitis of the wrist and thumb and carpal tunnel syndrome caused by Histoplasma capsulatum: case report and review of the literature

A patient presenting with acute carpal tunnel syndrome and swelling and pain in the wrist and thumb is presented. An open carpal tunnel release and tenosynovectomy were performed with biopsy specimen revealing infection with Histoplasma capsulatum. The case is discussed in context of the prior scant literature of tenosynovitis of the wrist and hand caused by histoplasmosis.     

关节镜镜视下行腕横韧带切开术

目的 介绍在关节镜镜视下行腕横韧带切开术治疗腕管综合的方法。方法 1999年3月以来，对15例（18侧）腕管综合征采用Chow两点法在关节镜镜视下行腕横韧带切开术。腕管入口位于腕横纹近端2－3cm，掌长肌腱尺侧缘。腕关节背伸位时，将带槽套管自腕管入口处对准第3指蹼方向插入，从腕管远端穿出。在关节镜监控下用钩刀切开腕横韧带。结果 术后随访2－16上月，平均7个月。术后桡侧3指半的感觉已恢复正常。3例有拇指对掌功能和大鱼际肌萎缩者，术后3－6个月均恢复正常。无血管神经损伤和感染等并发症发生。结论 关节镜镜视下切开腕横韧带治疗腕管综合征是安全有效的微创手术。     

The basal joint pain syndrome

Disabling trapeziometacarpal osteoarthritis is often associated with other skeletal or soft tissue pathology that necessitates simultaneous treatment. In this study of 100 trapezium arthroplasties, 65% of the patients required at least one concurrent operative procedure and, overall, 75% have received treatment for related problems before, during, or after the arthroplasty. In order of frequency, scaphotrapezial arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, hyperextension deformity of the thumb metacarpophalangeal joint, trigger digits, and tenosynovitis of the wrist have been the most prevalent concomitant conditions requiring surgery. Awareness that trapeziometacarpal arthritis is frequently the focal site of a widespread inflammatory process involving other structures of the hand--termed herein the "basal joint pain syndrome"--is essential to optimal management of patients with pain at the base of the thumb.     

Clinical management of carpal tunnel syndrome in patients with long-term sequelae of poliomyelitis

Thirty-three patients with long-term sequelae of poliomyelitis with a diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome established by either abnormal nerve conduction studies or previous carpal tunnel surgery were surveyed. There was no significant long-term resolution of symptoms in the patients who had surgery (n = 9) or were currently using wrist orthoses (n = 11) compared with patients without such treatment (n = 13). In patients who used a single cane or those who used crutches (N = 10), there was a direct correlation between the hand holding the cane or crutch and the hand in which carpal tunnel syndrome developed. The chronic use of cane and crutch predisposes these patients to development of carpal tunnel syndrome, and caution should be used when considering wrist surgery.     

Acute carpal tunnel syndrome caused by fracture of the scaphoid and the 5th metacarpal bones

A case of acute carpal tunnel syndrome in a 19-year-old girl is described. She sustained undisplaced fractures of the right scaphoid and 5th metacarpal bones during a motorcycle collision with a deer. The carpal tunnel syndrome developed within 3 hours of the accident and the diagnosis was easily established since she developed intense pain in her wrist, together with paraesthesiae in the distribution of the median nerve. The carpal tunnel was decompressed within 1 hour of the onset of the symptoms, revealing a fracture haematoma under pressure. The pain disappeared immediately and the sensation was next to normal within 12 hours and completely normal within 3 weeks.     

Hand numbness and carpal tunnel syndrome after volar plating of distal radius fracture

We report the incidence of late onset post-operative carpal tunnel syndrome (late carpal tunnel syndrome) and late median nerve neuropathy after volar plating of distal radius fracture by conducting a retrospective study on volar plating for distal radius fracture performed during 2002 to 2006. Two hundred eighty-two volar plating were performed for acute distal radius fracture after exclusion. Post-operative hand numbness occurred in 24 patients of which nine had carpal tunnel syndrome. Thus, the incidence of late carpal tunnel syndrome was 3.2% (9/282). Of the eight (8/24, 33%) patients with post-operative hand numbness that failed to respond to conservative treatment, five had carpal tunnel release and three had neurolysis of median nerve at distal forearm. All had clinical improvement except in one patient. The incidence of late carpal tunnel syndrome after volar plating of distal radius in the present series is similar to the prevalence of carpal tunnel syndrome in general population. The incidence is low compared with other series, regardless of treatment method (conservative treatment, volar or dorsal plating). The outcome of post-operative hand numbness is generally favourable.     

Patient satisfaction after open carpal tunnel release correlates with depression

PURPOSE: To test the null hypothesis that depression does not correlate with patient satisfaction after open release of electrodiagnostically confirmed carpal tunnel syndrome when controlling for other demographic, disease-related, and psychosocial factors. METHODS: Eighty-two survey respondents who had recovered (minimum 2 years after surgery) from a limited incision open carpal tunnel release completed measures of satisfaction, perceived disability, depression, pain catastrophizing, and pain anxiety. Univariate and multivariate analyses sought predictors of satisfaction and perceived disability from among demographic, disease related, and psychological factors. RESULTS: The average satisfaction score was 8 points (range, 0-10) and the average Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand score was 13 points (range, 0-76). Predictors of greater dissatisfaction included greater depression and the categorical electrophysiologic test rating. Predictors of perceived disability included depression, pain catastrophizing, and static numbness. Depression was the dominant predictor of both satisfaction and perceived disability. CONCLUSIONS: Dissatisfaction and perceived disability after limited open carpal tunnel release for electrodiagnostically confirmed idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome is predicted primarily by depression and ineffective coping skills and to a lesser degree by clinical or electrophysiologic evidence of advanced nerve damage. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic II.     

The hypothenar fat-pad flap for reconstructive repair after scarring of the median nerve at the wrist joint

Because of the loss of mobility, scarring of the median nerve in the carpal tunnel can lead to chronic pain syndrome of the wrist joint, with reduced sensation, muscular dystrophy and severe limitation of the use of the hand. This syndrome most often appears following open carpal tunnel release. Nine patients with scarring of the median nerve in the carpal tunnel were treated with a hypothenar fat-pad flap. Eight of them showed a significant reduction in pain, with improved sensation, trophism and strength. The procedure is suitable as a salvage procedure for restoring a sliding pathway and for cushioning the median nerve in the presence of recurrent lesions in the carpal tunnel.     

Endoscopic release in carpal tunnel syndrome: analysis of clinical results in 200 cases.

Carpal tunnel syndrome is the most common peripheral neuropathy. Conventional carpal tunnel surgery has been performed as a primary procedure for the decompression of the median nerve at the wrist in patients who have idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome. While the results have been excellent, this surgical procedure has been reported to be related to high postoperative morbidity and extended length of recovery time. Over the past decade, endoscopic release of the transverse carpal ligament has been developed as a new, alternative method to the open procedures. Endoscopic carpal tunnel release has been reported to ensure less postoperative morbidity, more rapid recovery of strength, with earlier return to work, reduced disability time and a better cosmetic result. The authors present a surgical series of 200 hands in 164 patients (36 bilaterals) with idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome, who underwent a single-portal endoscopic carpal tunnel release (Agee technique), with regards to the clinical outcome and complications occurred after 4-months follow-up.     

Preservation of the ulnar bursa within the carpal tunnel: does it improve the outcome of carpal tunnel surgery? A randomized, controlled trial

BACKGROUND: It was hypothesized that preserving a layer of gliding tissue, the parietal layer of the ulnar bursa, between the contents of the carpal tunnel and the soft tissues incised during carpal tunnel surgery might reduce scar pain and improve grip strength and function following open carpal tunnel decompression. METHODS: Patients consented to randomization to treatment with either preservation of the parietal layer of the ulnar bursa beneath the flexor retinaculum at the time of open carpal tunnel decompression (fifty-seven patients) or division of this gliding layer as part of a standard open carpal tunnel decompression (sixty-one patients). Grip strength was measured, scar pain was rated, and the validated Patient Evaluation Measure questionnaire was used to assess symptoms and disability preoperatively and at eight to nine weeks following the surgery in seventy-seven women and thirty-four men; the remaining seven patients were lost to follow-up. RESULTS: There was no difference between the groups with respect to age, sex, hand dominance, or side of surgery. Grip strength, scar pain, and the Patient Evaluation Measure score were not significantly different between the two groups, although there was a trend toward a poorer subjective outcome as demonstrated by the questionnaire in the group in which the ulnar bursa within the carpal tunnel had been preserved. Preserving the ulnar bursa within the carpal tunnel did, however, result in a lower prevalence of suspected wound infection or inflammation (p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: In this group of patients, preservation of the ulnar bursa around the median nerve during open carpal tunnel release produced no significant difference in grip strength or self-rated symptoms. We recommend incision of the ulnar bursa during open carpal tunnel decompression to allow complete visualization of the median nerve and carpal tunnel contents.     

Responsiveness of the Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire and the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire in carpal tunnel surgery

PURPOSE: Symptom resolution and functional improvement are the 2 primary reasons for patients to seek treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). This study aimed to measure the responsiveness of the Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire (MHQ) and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) when evaluating outcomes after carpal tunnel surgery. METHODS: Fifty patients prospectively completed the MHQ and the DASH before and 6 months after open carpal tunnel release. Data were analyzed using paired t tests and responsiveness to clinical change was calculated by using standardized response means (SRMs). RESULTS: All domains of the MHQ significantly improved after carpal tunnel release: the pain scale had a large SRM of 0.9 and the function scale showed medium responsiveness of 0.6. The combined function/symptom scale of the DASH significantly improved after surgery; the SRM revealed a medium effect of 0.7. CONCLUSIONS: The MHQ and the DASH are both responsive in measuring outcomes of carpal tunnel surgery. The MHQ has subscales that can measure symptom and function improvement independently. The MHQ and the DASH can be used for outcomes research related to carpal tunnel surgery with the advantage of also being useful for assessing and comparing outcomes for various other hand disorders.     

Early recovery after endoscopic vs. short-incision open carpal tunnel release

Endoscopic carpal tunnel release has been claimed to offer improvement in recovery time and postoperative discomfort over open carpal tunnel release. Short-incision open carpal tunnel release has been claimed to offer recoveries comparable with endoscopic techniques. Patients receiving carpal tunnel surgery were randomized to short-incision open release or single-portal endoscopic release. Preoperative and postoperative evaluation included grip and pinch strength measurements and patient completion of a questionnaire regarding symptoms and function. Thirty-six operated hands completed evaluation, including 22 endoscopic and 14 open releases. Early grip and pinch strength after endoscopic carpal tunnel release were improved significantly over short-incision open release (p < 0.05). Subjective evaluation indicated a trend toward improved symptoms and function with endoscopic over short-incision open carpal tunnel release. Endoscopic carpal tunnel release provides faster recovery of strength than short-incision open carpal tunnel release and improves early postoperative comfort and function to a small degree.