scholarly journals Ultrasound-Guided Surgery for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A New Interventional Procedure

2018 ◽  
Vol 35 (04) ◽  
pp. 248-254 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antoine Hakime ◽  
Jonathan Silvera ◽  
Pascal Richette ◽  
Rémy Nizard ◽  
David Petrover

AbstractCarpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) may be treated surgically if medical treatment fails. The classical approach involves release of the flexor retinaculum by endoscopic or open surgery. Meta-analyses have shown that the risk of nerve injury may be higher with endoscopic treatment. The recent contribution of ultrasound to the diagnosis and therapeutic management of CTS opens new perspectives. Ultrasound-guided carpal tunnel release via a minimally invasive approach enables the whole operation to be performed as a percutaneous radiological procedure. The advantages are a smaller incision compared with classical techniques; great safety during the procedure by visualization of anatomic structures, particularly variations in the median nerve; and realization of the procedure under local anesthesia. These advantages lead to a reduction in postsurgical sequelae and more rapid resumption of daily activities and work. Dressings are removed by the third day postsurgery. Recent studies seem to confirm the medical, economic, and aesthetic benefits of this new approach.

Author(s):  
Alexander Loizides ◽  
Sarah Honold ◽  
Elisabeth Skalla-Oberherber ◽  
Leonhard Gruber ◽  
Wolfgang Löscher ◽  
...  

Abstract Purpose To present a safety-optimized ultrasound-guided minimal invasive carpal tunnel release (CTR) procedure. Materials and Methods 104 patients (67 female, 37 male; mean age 60.6 ± 14.3 years, 95% CI 57.9 to 63.4 years) with clinical and electrophysiological verified typical carpal tunnel syndrome were referred for a high-resolution ultrasound of the median nerve and were then consecutively assigned for an ultrasound-guided CTR after exclusion of possible secondary causes of carpal tunnel syndrome such as tumors, tendovaginitis, ganglia and possible contraindications (e.g., crossing collateral vessels, nerve variations). Applying a newly adapted and optimized algorithm, basing on the work proposed by Petrover et al. CTR was performed using a button tip cannula which has several safety advantages: On the one hand, the button tip cannula acts as a blunt and atraumatic guiding splint for the subsequent insertion of the hook-knife, and on the other hands, it serves as a “hydro-inflation”-tool, i.e., a fluid-based expansion of the working-space is warranted during the whole procedure whenever needed. Results In all patients, successful releases were confirmed by the depiction of a completely transected transverse carpal ligament during and in the postoperative ultrasound-controls two weeks after intervention. All patients reported markedly reduction of symptoms promptly after this safety-optimized ultrasound-guided minimal invasive CTR and at the follow-up examination. No complications were evident. Conclusion The here proposed optimized algorithm assures a reliable and safe ultrasound-guided CTR and thus should be taken into account for this minimal invasive interventional procedure.


2021 ◽  
pp. 175319342110512
Author(s):  
Derek B. Asserson ◽  
Taylor J. North ◽  
Peter C. Rhee ◽  
Allen T. Bishop ◽  
Jeffrey S. Brault ◽  
...  

A retrospective review of hospital employees at a single employer institution who underwent ultrasound guided thread carpal tunnel release (TCTR) or open carpal tunnel release (OCTR) between January 2018 and August 2020 was performed to ascertain differences in return-to-work status. Patient age, sex, occupation, handedness, severity of carpal tunnel syndrome, prior treatments and surgical outcomes were reviewed. A total of 18 patients underwent TCTR and 17 patients underwent OCTR. The TCTR group averaged 12 days to return to work without restrictions, as opposed to 33 days for the OCTR group. Resolution of symptoms was afforded in all patients without any complications regardless of surgical technique. While both TCTR and OCTR were effective, our data indicates that TCTR resulted in a shorter return to work. Level of evidence: III


2018 ◽  
pp. 19-26
Author(s):  
Yu M. Chiu

Carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by compression of the median nerve under the transverse carpal ligament. We present a description of an ultrasound-guided (USG) percutaneous technique of the transcarpal tunnel and provide a discussion to the evidence in utilizing a minimally invasive technique as an alternative to open and endoscopic carpal tunnel release. USG percutaneous transverse carpal ligament fenestration is a quick, and relatively simple office based treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome. The use of ultrasound provides satisfactory visualization for the procedure and requires very little time and effort for setup. Here, in this case series, we detail the procedure and the results from our follow-up. This report details a case series of 2 patients with confirmed electrodiagnostic findings of mild to severe median neuropathy at the wrist in a university hospital outpatient pain management center. USG percutaneous fenestration of the transcarpal ligament was performed under local anesthesia. Patients were followed up from 4 to 20 weeks. It was found in patient 1, a greater than 60% reduction in pain at 20 weeks follow-up, and patient 2 had at least 50% reduction in pain at 8 weeks follow-up. Both patients had a minimum of 50% improvement in pain and sensory disturbance and without any adverse events. The main advantage of USG transverse carpal ligament fenestration is that it is an office based procedure, requiring local anesthesia only. Minimally invasive USG transcarpal ligament fenestration, in select patients, may be an appropriate tool and even prove to be a surgery-sparing modality. The limitations of this study includes no case-control, small sample size, and the short term follow-up. In conclusion, this case series presents an alternative to a more invasive and costlier procedure including open and endoscopic carpal tunnel release, usually performed in a surgical suite. USG percutaneous transverse carpal ligament fenestration is a quick, and relatively simple office based treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome. The use of ultrasound provides satisfactory visualization for the procedure and requires very little time and effort for setup. Key words: Ultrasound guided, transverse carpal ligament, fenestration, carpal tunnel syndrome


2003 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 4-5
Author(s):  
Christopher R. Brigham ◽  
James B. Talmage

Abstract Permanent impairment cannot be assessed until the patient is at maximum medical improvement (MMI), but the proper time to test following carpal tunnel release often is not clear. The AMA Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment (AMA Guides) states: “Factors affecting nerve recovery in compression lesions include nerve fiber pathology, level of injury, duration of injury, and status of end organs,” but age is not prognostic. The AMA Guides clarifies: “High axonotmesis lesions may take 1 to 2 years for maximum recovery, whereas even lesions at the wrist may take 6 to 9 months for maximal recovery of nerve function.” The authors review 3 studies that followed patients’ long-term recovery of hand function after open carpal tunnel release surgery and found that estimates of MMI ranged from 25 weeks to 24 months (for “significant improvement”) to 18 to 24 months. The authors suggest that if the early results of surgery suggest a patient's improvement in the activities of daily living (ADL) and an examination shows few or no symptoms, the result can be assessed early. If major symptoms and ADL problems persist, the examiner should wait at least 6 to 12 months, until symptoms appear to stop improving. A patient with carpal tunnel syndrome who declines a release can be rated for impairment, and, as appropriate, the physician may wish to make a written note of this in the medical evaluation report.


2021 ◽  
pp. 175319342110017
Author(s):  
Saskia F. de Roo ◽  
Philippe N. Sprangers ◽  
Erik T. Walbeehm ◽  
Brigitte van der Heijden

We performed a systematic review on the success of different surgical techniques for the management of recurrent and persistent carpal tunnel syndrome. Twenty studies met the inclusion criteria and were grouped by the type of revision carpal tunnel release, which were simple open release, open release with flap coverage or open release with implant coverage. Meta-analysis showed no difference, and pooled success proportions were 0.89, 0.89 and 0.85 for simple open carpal tunnel release, additional flap coverage and implant groups, respectively. No added value for coverage of the nerve was seen. Our review indicates that simple carpal tunnel release without additional coverage of the median nerve seems preferable as it is less invasive and without additional donor site morbidity. We found that the included studies were of low quality with moderate risk of bias and did not differentiate between persistent and recurrent carpal tunnel syndrome.


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