Value of anatomic landmarks in carpal tunnel surgery

2013 ◽  
Vol 38 (6) ◽  
pp. 641-645 ◽  
Author(s):  
O. Y. Yavuz ◽  
I. Uras ◽  
B. Tasbas ◽  
M. Kaya ◽  
R. Ozay ◽  
...  

This study investigated which anatomic landmarks were most useful for correct and safe incision placement in carpal tunnel surgery. Kirschner wires were attached to the hands to mark previously defined landmarks. The bony attachments of the transverse carpal ligament, which were identified previously, were drawn on an anteroposterior digital x-ray of the hand, with the thumb in full abduction. The relationship between anatomic landmarks and these bony attachments were examined. In all hands, either the line along the third web space or the crease between the thenar and the hypothenar regions, or both, were on the ulnar half of the transverse carpal ligament. During incision placement, we recommend selecting the most ulnar choice between the line drawn along the third web space and the crease between the thenar and hypothenar regions in order to be at safe distance from the recurrent motor branch of the median nerve.

2002 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 63-67 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carolyn M Levis ◽  
Thomas H Tung ◽  
Susan E Mackinnon

This study examines the variations in incisions and postoperative protocol of open carpal tunnel release. A questionnaire was distributed to 65 hand surgeons. Respondents were asked to draw their preferred incision on original photocopies of the same palm. The results were measured against standard anatomical landmarks (thenar crease, vertical axis of the third web space, proximal palmar crease and the distal wrist crease). The participants were also asked to answer questions concerning their postoperative protocols. Demographics of the cohort, as well as the variations in incisions and postoperative management, were analyzed. Significant variations existed in the length and location of the incision in the palm. The differences in postoperative care in this cohort of surgeons were less significant.


1985 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 202-204
Author(s):  
LAWRENCE C. HURST ◽  
DAVID WEISSBERG ◽  
ROBERT E. CARROLL

In this series of 1,000 cases of carpal tunnel syndrome (888 patients) there is a statistically significant incidence of bilaterality in patients with cervical arthritis. There is also a statistically significant increase in the incidence of diabetes mellitus over the general population. These findings lend further support to Upton’s Double Crush hypothesis. Further, the double crush syndrome predisposes to bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and may be an important prognostic factor. It may also be an explanation for some of the failures following carpal tunnel surgery and lead surgeons to look for other associated systemic diseases or mechanical blocks, when attempting to alleviate recalcitrant symptoms.


Hand ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-33 ◽  
Author(s):  
Venkata Krishna Rao Bodavula ◽  
Norman H. Dubin ◽  
E. F. Shaw Wilgis ◽  
Frank D. Burke ◽  
Mary J. Bradley

Hand ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. NP11-NP13
Author(s):  
Christina R. Vargas ◽  
Kyle J. Chepla

Background: Several anatomical variations of the median nerve recurrent motor branch have been described. No previous reports have described the anatomical variation of the ulnar nerve with respect to transverse carpal ligament. In this article, we present a patient with symptomatic compression of the ulnar nerve found to occur outside the Guyon canal due to a transligamentous course through the distal transverse carpal ligament. Methods: A 59-year-old, right-hand-dominant male patient presented with right hand pain, subjective weakness, and numbness in both the ulnar and the median nerve distributions. Electromyography revealed moderate demyelinating sensorimotor median neuropathy at the wrist and distal ulnar sensory neuropathy. At the time of planned carpal tunnel and Guyon canal release, a transligamentous ulnar nerve sensory common branch to the fourth webspace was encountered and safely released. Results: There were no surgical complications. The patient’s symptoms of numbness in the median and ulnar nerve distribution clinically improved at his first postoperative visit. Conclusions: We have identified a case of transligamentous ulnar nerve sensory branch encountered during carpal tunnel release. To our knowledge, this has not been previously reported. While the incidence of this variant is unknown, hand surgeons should be aware of this anatomical variant as its location puts it at risk of iatrogenic injury during open and endoscopic carpal tunnel release.


Hand Surgery ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 05 (01) ◽  
pp. 33-40 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ch. Mathoulin ◽  
J. Bahm ◽  
S. Roukoz

We report the use of a hypothenar pedicled fat flap to cover the median nerve in recalcitrant carpal tunnel syndrome. Forty-five patients with recurrent symptoms after previous carpal tunnel surgery were included in this study. Patients with incomplete release of the transverse carpal ligament were not included. We performed an anatomical study on 30 cadavers. The original technique with the section of the deep branch of ulnar artery was modified. The flap could be transferred onto the median nerve without stretching. The median follow-up was 45 months (range, 12–80 months). Pain completely disappeared in 41 patients with normal nerve conduction. Based on clinical and electromyographic signs, the global results showed excellent results (49%), 19 good results (45%), two average results (4.5%) and two failures (2%). The use of a hypothenar pedicled fat flap to cover the median nerve in recalcitrant carpal tunnel syndrome is a simple and efficient technique which improves the trophic environment of the median nerve and relieves pain.


1988 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 28-34
Author(s):  
G. B. PFEFFER ◽  
R. H. GELBERMAN ◽  
J. H. BOYES ◽  
B. RYDEVIK

Carpal tunnel syndrome is the most frequently diagnosed, best understood and most easily treated entrapment neuropathy. During the first half of the 20th century, however, most patients with carpal tunnel syndrome were diagnosed as having compression of either the brachial plexus or thenar nerve motor branch of the median nerve. As late as 1950, only twelve patients with operative release of the transverse carpal ligament for idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome had been reported. The delay in accurate anatomical localization of this compressive neuropathy can be attributed both to the confusion caused by the diverse manifestations of median nerve compression in the carpal tunnel, and to some interesting developments that altered early investigations in this area.


2009 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 115-119 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Hollevoet ◽  
E. Barbaix ◽  
K. D’herde ◽  
W. Vanhove ◽  
R. Verdonk

Muscle fibres that cross the proposed line of incision of the flexor retinaculum at carpal tunnel decompression can be a source of confusion, particularly for the less experienced surgeon. We investigated how frequently muscle fibres crossed the line of incision on the palmar surface of the flexor retinaculum at carpal tunnel decompression in 143 hands, and dissected 103 cadaver hands to study the origin and insertion of these muscle fibres. The line of incision was defined as a longitudinal line between thenar and hypothenar eminences along the third web space, with the wrist in neutral radioulnar deviation and the fingers in extension. Muscle fibres crossing the line of incision were absent in 50% of the operated hands, 2–10 mm wide in 39% and more than 10 mm wide in 11%. In the cadaver hands the proportions were similar at 50%, 35% and 15%, respectively. The fibres were extensions of the thenar and hypothenar muscles and did not appear to represent a separate anomalous muscle.


2007 ◽  
Vol 60 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 54-60 ◽  
Author(s):  
Poong-Taek Kim ◽  
Ivan Micic ◽  
Il-Hyng Park ◽  
In-Ho Jeon

During a 4-year period, a total of 784 wrists of 640 patients were treated using a modified Chow's extrabursal dual portal endoscopic technique. All surgeries were performed under local anesthesia. A 1-cm incision was marked 1 - 2 cm proximal to the distal wrist crease, in the midline, ulnar to the palmaris longus. A distal portal was established along a line bisecting an angle created by the intersection of the ulnar border of the abducted thumb and the third web space. An obturator and cannula assembly were inserted under the portal, and three blades were used to cut under endoscopic vision. Subjective results showed that 706 hands (90%) had a reduction in the severity of pain after carpal tunnel release, 706 hands (90%) had a reduction in the severity of paresthesia and 729 hands (93%) had a reduction in the severity of numbness. Nocturnal pain and paresthesia were relieved in 745 cases (95%). Compared with the conventional open carpal tunnel release, less postoperative pain and faster recovery have been reported following endoscopic carpal tunnel release. This study suggests that extrabursal dual portal technique is a safe and reliable treatment option for carpal tunnel syndrome with a high success rate.


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