Tang CQY, et al. - This study assessed the patient-reported long-term outcome of carpal tunnel release (CTR) for electrophysiologically severe carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). At a mean of nine years following CTR, favorable outcome and good rates of satisfaction were attained, even in patients with bilateral severe CTS. Furthermore, compared with open surgery, endoscopic CTR had a higher rate of numbness resolution and, the outcome did not significantly differ between the dominant and non-dominant hand.

Methods

• Researchers reviewed the long-term outcome of 40 patients with bilateral severe CTS who underwent 80 CTRs (46 open, 34 endoscopic) between 2002 and 2012.
• Patient-reported outcomes of numbness resolution, the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire (BCTQ) score, and patient satisfaction were studied as outcomes.

Results

• 9.3 years was the mean follow-up.
• Complete resolution of numbness, persistent numbness and, recurrent numbness was reported by 93.8%, 3.8%, and 2.5% patients, respectively.
• Findings demonstrated that the mean BCTQ symptom score was 1.1 (sd 0.3; 1.0 to 2.55) and the mean Boston function score was 1.15 (sd 0.46; 1.0 to 3.5).
• Researchers found that 72.5% of patients were asymptomatic and had no functional impairment.
• Poorer outcomes were seen in men versus women and in patients < 55 years than patients ≥ 55 years.
• Data reported that all patients who had undergone endoscopic CTR reported complete resolution of numbness compared with 89.1% of those who had undergone open release (p = 0.047).
• Additionally, no significant outcome difference was noted between dominant and non-dominant hands.
• Researchers found that patient satisfaction rates were good and there were no adverse events.