Carpal tunnel syndrome - Review of the carpal tunnel release surgery -

Journal of the Korean Society for Surgery of the Hand 1997;2(1):100-108.
Published online January 1, 1997.

Yong Jin Kim,Hyeong Ju Kim,Moon Hyung Oh

수근관 증후군 - 감압술시 유의점과 감압 방법에 대한 고찰 -

김용진,김형주,오문형

Abstract

Carpal tunnel syndrome may be defined as an entrapment neuropathy of the median nerve at the wrist. The typical patient experiences nocturnal paresthesia, numbness, and proximal radiation of pain to the forearm and arm. If the condition worsens, numbness in the median nerve distribution, together with weakness of the thenar muscle, can occur. Carpal tunnel syndrome was described by Paget in 1854. Marie and Foix, in 1913, first suggested sectioning the transverse carpal ligament to prevent progression of thenar atrophy caused by the nerve compression. In 1950, Phalen popularized that open carpal tunnel release has been the gold standard for carpal tunnel surgery. Since then, open carpal tunnel release surgery has been the standard method of treatment for who did not respond to conservative treatment and whose neurologic symptoms were progressive. In the past few years, however, two new alternatives to open carpal tunnel release have developed. The first of these is endoscopic carpal tunnel release and the second approach is limited incision technique. Although both these innovative methods effect a significant more rapid return of strength and function than open carpal tunnel release. reports of complications have stirred controversy. In this article, the authors review the anatomic consideration of the carpal tunnel surgery and compare the advantages and disadvantages of these three methods. In addition, we are going to introduce the method which is used in our clinic.