scholarly journals Aberrant Positioning of the Ulnar Nerve Found During Carpal Tunnel Release: A Case Report

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
David R. Veltre ◽  
Kelvin Naito ◽  
Xinning Li ◽  
Andrew B. Stein
Keyword(s):  
Case Report ◽  
Median Nerve ◽  
Ulnar Nerve ◽  
Carpal Tunnel ◽  
Carpal Tunnel Release ◽  
Distal Forearm ◽  
Anatomic Variations ◽  
Transverse Carpal Ligament ◽  
Iatrogenic Injuries ◽  
Flexor Retinaculum

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. 

scholarly journals Report of a Transligamentous Ulnar Nerve Sensory Branch

Hand ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. NP11-NP13
Author(s):  
Christina R. Vargas ◽  
Kyle J. Chepla
Keyword(s):  
Median Nerve ◽  
Ulnar Nerve ◽  
Carpal Tunnel ◽  
Carpal Tunnel Release ◽  
Anatomical Variation ◽  
Dominant Male ◽  
Transverse Carpal Ligament ◽  
Anatomical Variant ◽  
Motor Branch ◽  
Right Hand

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.

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
Keyword(s):  
Learning Curve ◽  
Median Nerve ◽  
Carpal Tunnel ◽  
Open Surgery ◽  
Carpal Tunnel Release ◽  
Safe Alternative ◽  
Endoscopic Carpal Tunnel Release ◽  
Flexor Retinaculum ◽  
Carpal Tunnel Surgery ◽  
Conversion Rates

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.

scholarly journals Combined Cubital and Carpal Tunnel Release Results in Symptom Resolution Outside of the Median or Ulnar Nerve Distributions

2016 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 111-119 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter C. Chimenti ◽  
Allison W. McIntyre ◽  
Sean M. Childs ◽  
Warren C. Hammert ◽  
John C. Elfar
Keyword(s):  
Median Nerve ◽  
Ulnar Nerve ◽  
Carpal Tunnel ◽  
Carpal Tunnel Release ◽  
Symptomatic Improvement ◽  
Patient Counseling ◽  
Symptom Resolution ◽  
Persistent Symptoms ◽  
Validated Questionnaires

Background: Resolution of symptoms including pain, numbness, and tingling outside of the median nerve distribution has been shown to occur following carpal tunnel release. We hypothesized that a similar effect would be found after combined release of the ulnar nerve at the elbow with simultaneous release of the median nerve at the carpal tunnel. Methods: 20 patients with combined cubital and carpal tunnel syndrome were prospectively enrolled. The upper extremity was divided into six zones and the location of pain, numbness, tingling, or strange sensations was recorded pre-operatively. Two-point discrimination, Semmes-Weinstein monofilament testing, and validated questionnaires were collected pre-operatively and at six-week follow-up. Results: Probability of resolution was greater in the median nerve distribution than the ulnar nerve for numbness (71% vs. 43%), tingling (86% vs. 75%). Seventy percent of the cohort reported at least one extra-anatomic symptom pre-operatively, and greater than 80% of these resolved at early follow-up. There was a decrease in pain as measured by validated questionnaires. Conclusion: This study documents resolution of symptoms in both extra-ulnar and extra-median distributions after combined cubital and carpal tunnel release. Pre-operative patient counseling may therefore include the likelihood of symptomatic improvement in a non-expected nerve distribution after this procedure, assuming no other concomitant pathology which may cause persistent symptoms. Future studies could be directed at correlating pre-operative disease severity with probability of symptom resolution using a larger population.

A New Technique for Endoscopic Carpal Tunnel Decompression

1995 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 465-469 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. M. TSAI ◽  
T. TSURUTA ◽  
S. A. SYED ◽  
H. KIMURA
Keyword(s):  
Median Nerve ◽  
Carpal Tunnel ◽  
Carpal Tunnel Release ◽  
Glass Tube ◽  
New Technique ◽  
Motor Branch ◽  
Flexor Retinaculum ◽  
Fresh Cadaver ◽  
Custom Made ◽  
Portal Technique

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.

Is Complete Release of all Volar Carpal Canal Structures Necessary for Complete Decompression in Endoscopic Carpal Tunnel Release?

2007 ◽  
Vol 32 (5) ◽  
pp. 537-542 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. YOSHIDA ◽  
I. OKUTSU ◽  
I. HAMANAKA
Keyword(s):  
Median Nerve ◽  
Carpal Tunnel ◽  
Carpal Tunnel Release ◽  
Active Power ◽  
Full Length ◽  
Hand Position ◽  
Pressure Measurements ◽  
Proximal Margin ◽  
Endoscopic Carpal Tunnel Release ◽  
Flexor Retinaculum

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.

scholarly journals Revision of Carpal Tunnel Release due to Palmaris Longus Profundus

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lyrtzis Christos ◽  
Natsis Konstantinos ◽  
Pantazis Evagelos
Keyword(s):  
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome ◽  
Median Nerve ◽  
Carpal Tunnel ◽  
Carpal Tunnel Release ◽  
Transverse Carpal Ligament ◽  
Postoperative Course ◽  
Palmaris Longus ◽  
Tunnel Syndrome

Purpose. The palmaris longus profundus has been documented throughout the literature as a cause of carpal tunnel syndrome. We present a case of palmaris profundus tendon removal during the revision of carpal tunnel release.Method. During a carpal tunnel release in a 66-year-old woman, palmaris profundus tendon was found inside the tunnel under the transverse carpal ligament, just above the median nerve, but it was left intact. The patient complained of pain in the hand at night and weakness of her hand one month after surgery. We decided on a revision of the carpal tunnel release. The palmaris profundus tendon was found and was removed.Results. The patient had a normal postoperative course. Two months later she returned to her normal activities and was asymptomatic.Conclusions. When a palmaris profundus muscle is located in carpal tunnel, we recommend its excision during carpal tunnel release. This excision will eliminate the possibility of recurrent compression over the median nerve.

Supraretinacular endoscopic carpal tunnel release: surgical technique with prospective case series

2014 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 193-198 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Ecker ◽  
N. Perera ◽  
J. Ebert
Keyword(s):  
Median Nerve ◽  
Carpal Tunnel ◽  
Carpal Tunnel Release ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
Motor Branch ◽  
Endoscopic Techniques ◽  
Endoscopic Carpal Tunnel Release ◽  
Flexor Retinaculum ◽  
Prospective Case Series

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.

Effectiveness and Safety in Closed Mini-Transverse Incision with Hydro-Dissection Technique in Carpal Tunnel Release: A Cadaveric Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (02) ◽  
pp. 224-228
Author(s):  
Jirapong Leeyaphan ◽  
Rosarin Ratanalekha
Keyword(s):  
Median Nerve ◽  
Carpal Tunnel ◽  
Carpal Tunnel Release ◽  
Ulnar Artery ◽  
Cadaveric Study ◽  
Transverse Carpal Ligament ◽  
Transverse Incision ◽  
Special Instrument ◽  
Dissection Technique ◽  
Neurovascular Structures

Background: Closed mini-wrist transverse incision for carpal tunnel release has been reported in decreasing surgical scar problems, but there were few cadaveric studies that proved the effectiveness and safety in this technique without protective instrument to the median nerve. Hydro-dissection was previously showed to separate median nerve and deep structures during percutaneous ultrasound guided transverse carpal ligament release. This cadaveric study aims to demonstrated effectiveness and safety of closed transverse carpal ligament (TCL) release though the mini-transverse incision at distal wrist crease combined with hydrodissection technique. Neither special instrument nor retractor was used to protect neurovascular structures. Methods: Twelve fresh frozen cadaveric wrists were included in this study. Completeness of TCL release and injury to the adjacent neurovascular structures were assessed by direct visualization. Thickness of TCL, TCL length and distance from incision to adjacent neurovascular structures were also recorded. Results: Complete release of TCL was demonstrated in all 12 (100%) wrists underwent the mini-transverse incision TCL release at distal wrist crease and hydro-dissection technique. No injury to the adjacent neurovascular structures was found in all 12 wrists. Mean of thickness of TCL and TCL length were 3 mm and 28.7 mm, respectively. The ulnar artery was the nearest structure to the incision (mean = 3.7 mm). Conclusions: The closed mini-transverse incision TCL release at distal wrist crease with hydro-dissection technique demonstrated completeness of TCL division and safety to the neurovascular structures without protecting retractor or special instrument.

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