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Similar effectiveness of the open versus endoscopic technique for carpal tunnel syndrome: a prospective randomized trial

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Abstract

This prospective randomized study aims at evaluating the electrophysiological results of endoscopic and open carpal ligament release in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome. Included in the study were 41 patients diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome (21 hands in the endoscopic group and 20 hands in the open group). The Boston questionnaire was administered preoperatively and postoperatively to the patients, and their functional capacities and symptom severities were recorded. Physical examination was carried out preoperatively and in the postoperative sixth month. Demographic data and preoperative Boston symptomatic and functional scores were similar between both groups. A significant improvement was obtained in the Boston symptomatic and functional scores of both groups, but no significant difference was found between the groups in terms of improvement in the symptomatic and the functional scores. A significant shortening in median nerve motor distal latency and an increase in the velocity of sensory conductions were determined in both groups in the postoperative electromyography, but no difference was found between them in terms of improvement in the electromyography values. It was shown both clinically and electrophysiologically that endoscopic carpal tunnel surgery was as effective as open surgery as a treatment method for carpal tunnel syndrome.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Yavuz Selim Bone Disease and Rehabilitation Hospital, Trabzon, Turkey

    Seyit Ali Gümüştaş

  2. Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Adiyaman University, Adiyaman, Turkey

    Burcu Ekmekçi

  3. Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Faculty of Medicine, Adiyaman University, Adiyaman, Turkey

    Haci Bayram Tosun

  4. Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Dr. Lütfi Kırdar Kartal Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey

    Mehmet Müfit Orak & Halil İbrahim Bekler

Authors
  1. Seyit Ali Gümüştaş
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  2. Burcu Ekmekçi
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  3. Haci Bayram Tosun
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  4. Mehmet Müfit Orak
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  5. Halil İbrahim Bekler
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Correspondence to Haci Bayram Tosun.

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Gümüştaş, S.A., Ekmekçi, B., Tosun, H.B. et al. Similar effectiveness of the open versus endoscopic technique for carpal tunnel syndrome: a prospective randomized trial. Eur J Orthop Surg Traumatol 25, 1253–1260 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00590-015-1696-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00590-015-1696-0

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