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Endoscopic carpal tunnel release: Use of the modified Chow technique in 215 cases
Author(s) -
Slattery Philip G
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
medical journal of australia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.904
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1326-5377
pISSN - 0025-729X
DOI - 10.5694/j.1326-5377.1994.tb126549.x
Subject(s) - medicine , carpal tunnel syndrome , surgery , endoscopic carpal tunnel release , carpal tunnel , median nerve
Objective To present my experience using the modified Chow two‐portal technique of endoscopic carpal tunnel release. Patients Two hundred and fifteen patients with a clinical diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome of more than three months’ duration, unresponsive to conservative treatment. Only those few with the specific contraindications of recurrence, a florid flexor tenosynovitis or an acute crush injury were excluded. Intervention The operation used the modified Chow two‐portal endoscopic method of carpal tunnel release. The original Chow method was used in another 15 patients. Main outcome measure Symptomatic relief of pain and paraesthesia. Results Most patients made a rapid and dramatic recovery, with an early return to work, when compared with both my and patients’ previous experience of open carpal tunnel release. Complications were few — two cases of mild reflex sympathetic dystrophy, two of unrelieved symptoms, and no permanent nerve or tendon injury. Conclusion The modified Chow two‐portal technique of endoscopic release of the carpal tunnel is effective, with a rapid recovery and few complications — provided that It is done by a surgeon experienced in this method.