An Incision-less Ultrasound-guided Carpal Tunnel Release Technique

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.

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Efficacy of ultrasound-guided forearm nerve block versus forearm intravenous regional anaesthesia in patients undergoing carpal tunnel release: A randomized controlled trial

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0246863 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (2) ◽

pp. e0246863

Author(s):

Hassanin Jalil ◽

Florence Polfliet ◽

Kristof Nijs ◽

Liesbeth Bruckers ◽

Gerrit De Wachter ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Patient Satisfaction ◽

Pain Intensity ◽

Nerve Block ◽

Carpal Tunnel ◽

Regional Anaesthesia ◽

Carpal Tunnel Release ◽

Ultrasound Guided ◽

Surgical Time ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Intravenous Regional Anaesthesia

Background and objectives Distal upper extremity surgery is commonly performed under regional anaesthesia, including intravenous regional anaesthesia (IVRA) and ultrasound-guided forearm nerve block. This study aimed to investigate if ultrasound-guided forearm nerve block is superior to forearm IVRA in producing a surgical block in patients undergoing carpal tunnel release. Methods In this observer-blinded, randomized controlled superiority trial, 100 patients undergoing carpal tunnel release were randomized to receive ultrasound-guided forearm nerve block (n = 50) or forearm IVRA (n = 50). The primary outcome was anaesthetic efficacy evaluated by classifying the blocks as complete vs incomplete. Complete anaesthesia was defined as total sensory block, incomplete anaesthesia as mild pain requiring more analgesics or need of general anaesthesia. Pain intensity on a numeric rating scale (0–10) was recorded. Surgeon satisfaction with hemostasis, surgical time, and OR stay time were recorded. Patient satisfaction with the quality of the block was assessed at POD 1. Results In total, 43 (86%) of the forearm nerve blocks were evaluated as complete, compared to 33 (66%) of the forearm IVRA (p = 0.019). After the forearm nerve block, pain intensity was lower at discharge (-1.76 points lower, 95% CI (-2.92, -0.59), p = 0.0006) compared to patients treated with forearm IVRA. No differences in pain experienced at the start of the surgery, during surgery, and at POD1, nor in surgical time or total OR stay were observed between groups. Surgeon (p = 0.0016) and patient satisfaction (p = 0.0023) were slightly higher after forearm nerve block. Conclusion An ultrasound-guided forearm nerve block is superior compared to forearm IVRA in providing a surgical block in patients undergoing carpal tunnel release. Trial registration This trial was registered as NCT03411551.

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