scholarly journals Supraretinacular endoscopic carpal tunnel release: A safe alternative method for treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome

2021 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 230949902199340
Author(s):  
Kotaro Sato ◽  
Kenya Murakami ◽  
Yoshikuni Mimata ◽  
Gaku Takahashi ◽  
Minoru Doita

Purpose: Supraretinacular endoscopic carpal tunnel release (SRECTR) is a technique in which an endoscope is inserted superficial to the flexor retinaculum through a subcutaneous tunnel. The benefits of this method include a clear view for the surgeon and absence of median nerve compression. Surgeons can operate with a familiar view of the flexor retinaculum and median nerve downward, similar to open surgery. This study aimed to investigate the learning curve for SRECTR, an alternate method for carpal tunnel release, and evaluate its complications and the functional outcomes using a disposable commercial kit. Methods: We examined the open conversion rates and complications associated with SRECTR in 200 consecutive patients performed by two surgeons. We compared the operative time operated by a single surgeon. We evaluated outcomes in 191 patients according to Kelly’s grading system. Patients’ mean follow-up period was 12.7 months. Results: Nine patients required conversion to open surgery. There were no injuries to the nerves and tendons and no hematoma or incomplete dissection of the flexor retinaculum. The operative times varied between 11 and 34 minutes. We obtained the following results based on Kelly’s grading of outcomes: excellent in 116, good in 59, fair in 13, and poor in 3 patients. Conclusions: We found no patients with neurapraxia, major nerve injury, flexor tendon injury, superficial palmar arch injury, and hematoma. Although there was a learning curve associated with SRECTR, we performed 200 consecutive cases without neurovascular complications. This method may be a safe alternative to minimally invasive carpal tunnel surgery.

2007 ◽  
Vol 32 (5) ◽  
pp. 537-542 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. YOSHIDA ◽  
I. OKUTSU ◽  
I. HAMANAKA

This study investigated the need to completely divide the flexor retinaculum to achieve full decompression of the median nerve in the carpal canal, using carpal canal pressure measurements at the mid-point and/or the proximal one-third of the flexor retinaculum to analyse the degree of decompression after release of successive lengths of the flexor retinaculum from the distal holdfast fibres to its proximal margin. Pressure measurements were taken at each operative step in the resting hand position and during active power gripping. The pressure measurements indicated that decompression of the carpal canal was achieved both at rest and on active gripping after complete division of the flexor retinaculum. However, pressure measurements indicated that complete decompression had not been achieved during active power gripping with the proximal one-third of the flexor retinaculum intact. These results demonstrate the need for complete release of the full length of the flexor retinaculum, including the distal holdfast fibres.


2014 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 193-198 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Ecker ◽  
N. Perera ◽  
J. Ebert

Current techniques for endoscopic carpal tunnel release use an infraretinacular approach, inserting the endoscope deep to the flexor retinaculum. We present a supraretinacular endoscopic carpal tunnel release technique in which a dissecting endoscope is inserted superficial to the flexor retinaculum, which improves vision and the ability to dissect and manipulate the median nerve and tendons during surgery. The motor branch of the median nerve and connections between the median and ulnar nerve can be identified and dissected. Because the endoscope is inserted superficial to the flexor retinaculum, the median nerve is not compressed before division of the retinaculum and, as a result, we have observed no cases of the transient median nerve deficits that have been reported using infraretinacular endoscopic techniques. Level of evidence: IV.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
David R. Veltre ◽  
Kelvin Naito ◽  
Xinning Li ◽  
Andrew B. Stein

Introduction: Aberrant positioning of the ulnar nerve volar to the transverse carpal ligament is a rare anatomic variation.Case Presentation: We present the case of a 55-year-old female with unique ulnar nerve anatomy that was discovered introperatively during carpal tunnel release.  The ulnar nerve was running directly adjacent to the median nerve in the distal forearm and as the median nerve traversed dorsal to the transverse carpal ligament (flexor retinaculum) to enter the carpal tunnel the ulnar nerve continued directly volar to this structure before angling towards Guyon’s Canal.  The unique ulnar nerve anatomy was successfully identified, carefully dissected and managed with a successful patient outcome.Conclusion: Variations of the anatomy at the level of the carpal tunnel are rare but do exist.  Awareness of these anatomic variations and adequate visualization of the ulnar nerve along with the surrounding structures is crucial to avoid iatrogenic injuries during carpal tunnel release. 


1997 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. E7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cynthia B. Piccirilli ◽  
Christopher I. Shaffrey ◽  
Jacob N. Young ◽  
LaVerne R. Lovell

Endoscopic carpal tunnel release is increasingly performed to treat median nerve entrapment neuropathy at the transverse carpal ligament. Proponents of these procedures claim that there are early postoperative advantages to be gained by the patient in the form of decreased pain and weakness, thus facilitating an earlier return to function. However, serious complications associated with the use of these techniques have been reported, especially during the surgeon's purported initial steep learning curve. A prospective analysis of the authors' first 51 cases using a two-portal endoscopic technique was conducted to determine whether these learning curve complications occurred. The authors did experience a learning curve; however, it was not significant. They encountered no serious complications and patient satisfaction was very high. It is concluded that the procedure is relatively easy to learn and safe to perform.


1995 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 465-469 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. M. TSAI ◽  
T. TSURUTA ◽  
S. A. SYED ◽  
H. KIMURA

A new one-portal technique for endoscopic carpal tunnel release (ECTR) is introduced with its clinical results. The incision is made at the palmar aspect of file hand. A custom-made glass tube with a groove is inserted, and under endoscope observation, a meniscus knife is pushed forward along the groove to release the flexor retinaculum. This new technique has been studied in ten fresh cadaver hands and used in 123 patients' hands. Results of the cadaver study showed that the flexor retinaculum was released completely in all ten hands. No injuries to tendons, nerves, or arteries were noted. In one case the cotton tip was lost from the stick. All clinical releases were performed uneventfully except for three cases of neuropraxia of the digital nerve of the radial side of the ring finger, one laceration of the motor branch of the median nerve, one mild infection, one loss of cotton tip from the cotton swab stick, and one case of chipping of the glass tube. The case with the laceration of the motor branch of the median nerve occurred early in the series and required the conventional open incision to repair the nerve. The cases with loss of cotton from the stick and chipping of the tube also required a conventional incision to remove the cotton and glass chip. Advantages of this one-portal technique with the glass tube include less scar tenderness than with two-portal techniques, decreased risk of injury to the superficial palmar arch and ulnar nerve because of the distal approach, a view of pathology in the carpal tunnel through the glass tube, and confirmation of release of the flexor retinaculum.


Hand Surgery ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 09 (02) ◽  
pp. 235-239 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lam Chuan Teoh ◽  
Puay Ling Tan

Recurrent carpal tunnel syndrome from various causes has been shown to occur in up to 19% of patients. Endoscopic carpal tunnel release has been used to decompress the median nerve in carpal tunnel syndrome for many years. However, endoscopic release for recurrent carpal tunnel syndrome after previous surgical release has not been reported. Nine hands in six patients had recurrent carpal tunnel syndrome five to 20 years after previous open carpal tunnel release. All the cases were successfully treated with endoscopic release.


Hand ◽  
2019 ◽  
pp. 155894471986171 ◽  
Author(s):  
Blair R. Peters ◽  
Amanda M. Martin ◽  
Brett F. Memauri ◽  
Hardy W. Bock ◽  
Robert B. Turner ◽  
...  

Background: Endoscopic carpal tunnel release (ECTR) has purported advantages over open release such as reduced intraoperative dissection and trauma and more rapid recovery. Endoscopic carpal tunnel release has been shown to have comparable outcomes to open release, but open release is considered easier and safer to perform. Previous studies have demonstrated an increase in carpal tunnel volume, regardless of the technique used. However, the mechanism by which this volumetric increase occurs has been debated. Our study will determine through magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) analysis the morphologic changes that occur in both open carpal tunnel release (OCTR) and ECTR, thereby clarifying any morphologic differences that occur as a result of the 2 operative techniques. We hypothesize that there will be no morphologic differences between the 2 techniques. Methods: This was a prospective study to compare the postoperative anatomy of both techniques with MRI. Nineteen patients with clinical and nerve conduction study–confirmed carpal tunnel syndrome underwent either open or endoscopic release. Magnetic resonance imaging was performed preoperatively and 6 months postoperatively in all patients to examine the volume of the carpal tunnel, transverse distance, anteroposterior (AP) distance, divergence of tendons, and Guyon’s canal transverse and AP distance. Results: There was no significant difference in the postoperative morphology of the carpal tunnel and median nerve between OCTR and ECTR at 6-month follow-up on MRI. Conclusion: We conclude that there are no morphologic differences in OCTR and ECTR. It is an increase in the AP dimension that appears to be responsible for the increase in the volume of the carpal tunnel.


Hand Surgery ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 12 (03) ◽  
pp. 205-209 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keiichi Murata ◽  
Hiroshi Yajima ◽  
Naoki Maegawa ◽  
Koji Hattori ◽  
Yoshinori Takakura

Segmental carpal tunnel pressure was measured in 12 hands of 11 idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome patients before and after two-portal endoscopic carpal tunnel release. We aimed to determine at which part of the carpal tunnel the median nerve could be compressed, and to evaluate whether carpal tunnel pressure could be reduced sufficiently at all segments of the carpal tunnel after the surgery. Pressure measurements were performed using a pressure guide wire. The site with the highest pressure corresponded to the area around the hamate hook; the pressure in the area distal to the flexor retinaculum could be pathogenically high (more than 30 mmHg) before the surgery. The two-portal endoscopic carpal tunnel release achieved sufficient pressure reduction in all segments of the carpal tunnel when the flexor retinaculum and the fibrous structure between the flexor retinaculum and the palmar aponeurosis were completely released.


Hand Surgery ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 08 (02) ◽  
pp. 265-270 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew V. Cavallo ◽  
Philip G. Slattery ◽  
Richard J. Barton

Endoscopic release has been shown to be a safe and effective means of carpal tunnel decompression. The surgeon needs to be aware of the variations in the anatomy of the median nerve in order to minimise the risk of nerve injury. In this series of 748 endoscopic carpal tunnel releases, six were found to have variations in the median nerve anatomy, in two patients conversion to open release was necessary.


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