Abstracts Posters SICOT-SOF meeting Gothenburg 2010 _2_

Poster
Topic: General Orthopaedics
Abstract number: 25448
LATE FUNCTIONAL RESULTS OF CARPAL TUNNEL DECOMPRESSSION WITH
MENISCUS KNIFE THROUGH MINI-OPEN PALMAR INCISION VERSUS
MINIMAL-INCISION OPEN CARPAL TUNNEL DECOMPRESSION.
José E. FRAGA FERREIRA, Rui CERQUEIRA 2 , Sofia VIÇOSO, Tiago BARBOSA,
Joăo Paulo OLIVEIRA, Joăo LOURENCO
Centro Hospitalar do Alto Ave, EPE, Guimarăes (PORTUGAL)
The median nerve compression in the carpal tunnel is the most common
compression syndrome of the upper limb. In most cases it is idiopathic but may also
occur from anatomical, traumatic, endocrine, rheumatic or tumoral causes. Chow’s
endoscopic technique was initially used to treat this disease and then modified to a
mini-open approach through a single palmar incision. This incision is similar to the
one used in endoscopic release by Agee. After exposing the proximal part of the
transverse carpal ligament a meniscus knife is advanced until there is a complete
section of the ligament, without endoscopic equipment. Between 2004 and 2006, 200
hands in 179 patients with a diagnosis based on clinical and electromyographic
criteria were operated by this mini-open technique. The mean follow-up was 49
months (minimum of 34 months and a maximum of 70 months). 50 randomly
selected patients were submitted to the self-administered Boston questionnaire. 50
patients treated by the minimal-incision decompression during the same period were
also given the questionnaire. The aesthetic satisfaction was registered as well as if
they would have surgery on the other hand or would recommend the procedure.
This mini-open technique is another technique available to the surgeon that allows
very similar functional results to endoscopic surgery, without use of specific material
and with a shorter surgical time.
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