Endoscopic carpal tunnel decompression: Comparison of mid- and long-term outcomes of 30 endoscopic and 30 standard procedure carpal tunnel decompression operations

BACKGROUND: Carpal tunnel syndrome is the most frequently seen trap neuropathy leads to pain, paresis, and weakness of hands. METHODS: Totally, 60 patients who underwent endoscopic or standard CTS surgery in İbni Sina Hospital, Medical Faculty of Ankara university in the period of 2009 and 2012 were enrolled in this prospective study. RESULTS: During 36 months, 60 patients had undergone hand surgery. Totally, 14 male and 46 female patients of this serial had an average age of 51.24 (22-74) years. A number of 26 patients (43%) had left and 34 had (57%) right hand surgery. Complete relief of nocturnal paresis and pain has been shown in the 6(th), 12(th), and 24(th) month analyses of endoscopic surgery group results. Two patients in open surgery group underwent second operation due to relapse. The patients in the endoscopic group reported higher satisfaction cosmetically. CONCLUSION: Endoscopic carpal tunnel syndrome treatment is alternative and considerable option against standard open methods and due to low morbidity rates its performance is highly prevalent in recent years.