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Surgical treatment options for carpal tunnel syndromeScholten RJPM, Mink van der Molen A, Uitdehaag BMJ, Bouter LM, de Vet HCW
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SummarySurgical treatment options for carpal tunnel syndromeThere is no strong evidence for the replacement of standard open carpal tunnel release (OCTR) by alternative surgical procedures for the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome. The decision to apply special, minimally invasive operations instead of standard OCTR seems to be guided by the surgeon's and patient's preferences. Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common disorder causing pins and needles and pain in the hand due to compression of the median nerve in the carpal tunnel at the wrist. Its severity can range from mild to severe. Severe cases are generally treated surgically. This review aimed to compare different surgical options for the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome. Current evidence from randomised controlled trials showed that none of the alternatives to standard open carpal tunnel release seem to offer better relief from symptoms in the short- or long-term, although a special type of operation (endoscopic carpal tunnel release) seems to enable people to return to their work or daily activities sooner (on average approximately a week).
This is a Cochrane review abstract and plain language summary, prepared and maintained by The Cochrane Collaboration, currently published in The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2010 Issue 1, Copyright © 2010 The Cochrane Collaboration. Published by John Wiley and Sons, Ltd.. The full text of the review is available in The Cochrane Library (ISSN 1464-780X).
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October 21. 2002 AbstractBackgroundCarpal tunnel syndrome is a common disorder for which several surgical treatment options are available. ObjectivesTo compare the efficacy of the various surgical techniques in relieving symptoms and promoting return to work or activities of daily living and to compare the occurrence of side-effects and complications in patients suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome. Search strategyWe updated the searches in 2006. We conducted computer-aided searches of the Cochrane Neuromuscular Disease Group Trials Register (searched in June 2006), Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library 2006, Issue 2), MEDLINE (January 1966 to June 2006), EMBASE (January 1980 to June 2006) and also tracked references in bibliographies. Selection criteriaRandomised controlled trials comparing various surgical techniques for the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome. Data collection and analysisTwo review authors performed study selection, assessment of methodological quality and data extraction independently of each other. Main resultsThirty-three studies were included in the review of which 10 were newly identified in this update. The methodological quality of the trials ranged from fair to good; however, the use of allocation concealment was mentioned explicitly in only seven trials. Many studies failed to present the results in sufficient detail to enable statistical pooling. Pooling was also impeded by the vast variety of outcome measures that were applied in the various studies. None of the existing alternatives to standard open carpal tunnel release offered significantly better relief from symptoms in the short- or long-term. In three studies with a total of 294 participants, endoscopic carpal tunnel release resulted in earlier return to work or activities of daily living than open carpal tunnel release, with a weighted mean difference of -6 days (95% CI -9 to -3 days). Authors' conclusionsThere is no strong evidence supporting the need for replacement of standard open carpal tunnel release by existing alternative surgical procedures for the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome. The decision to apply endoscopic carpal tunnel release instead of open carpal tunnel release seems to be guided by the surgeon's and patient's preferences. |