Skip to main content

Revision Carpal Tunnel Surgery Options

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Related Median Neuropathies

Abstract

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) affects 1% of the general population and 5% of the working population. Consequently, carpal tunnel release (CTR) is one of the most common procedures performed on the hand. Median nerve entrapment symptoms at the carpal tunnel after CTR can be defined as either failed (persistent or new symptoms) or recurrent CTS. Recurrent CTS is characterized by a symptom-free interval after surgery. The cause of recurrent carpal tunnel is thought to be due to progressive constriction of the nerve via scar formation.

There are a number of methods to manage perineural fibrosis, a condition thought to be responsible for recurrent compression and restricted nerve gliding. These include procedures to isolate the nerve from scar and others that are intended to bring neovascularization to the median nerve. While many surgical procedures for recurrent CTS have been described in the literature, there is a paucity of comparative studies on the subject. Almost all published articles report on results of a single technique or a few techniques, without a comparison of efficacy. This chapter describes the surgical techniques for recurrent CTR and their reported outcomes.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

eBook
USD 16.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 99.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 129.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Work Group Panel. Clinical guidelines on diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome. Available at: www.aaos.org/research/guidelines/CTS_guideline.pdf. Accessed 1 Feb 2011.

  2. Atroshi I, Gummesson C, Johnsson R, et al. Prevalence of carpal tunnel syndrome in a general population. JAMA. 1999;282:153–8.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Jones NF, Ahn HC, Eo S. Revision surgery for persistent and recurrent carpal tunnel syndrome and for failed carpal tunnel release. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2012;129(3):683–92.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Karpitskaya Y, Novak CB, Mackinnon SE. Prevalence of smoking, obesity, diabetes mellitus, and thyroid disease in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome. Ann Plast Surg. 2002;48(3):269–73.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Botte MJ, et al. Recurrent carpal tunnel syndrome. Hand Clin. 1996;12:731–43.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Baranowski D, Klein W, Grunert J. Revision operations in carpal tunnel syndrome. Handchir Mikrochir Plast Chir. 1993;25:127–32.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Kern BC, et al. The recurrent carpal tunnel syndrome. Zentralbl Neurochir. 1993;54:80–3.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Kretschmer T, et al. Pitfalls of endoscopic carpal tunnel release. Part 2: conclusions from findings of open surgery. Chirurg. 2004;75(12):1207–9.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Cobb TK, Amadio PC, Leatherwood DF, Schleck CD, Ilstrup DM. Outcome of reoperation for carpal tunnel syndrome. J Hand Surg [Am]. 1996;21(3):347–56.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Stütz N, Gohritz A, van Schoonhoven J, Lanz U. Revision surgery after carpal tunnel release--analysis of the pathology in 200 cases during a 2 year period. J Hand Surg (Br). 2006;31(1):68–71.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Assmus H, Dombert T, Staub F. Reoperations for CTS because of recurrence or for correction. Handchir Mikrochir Plast Chir. 2006;38:306–11.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Pizzillo MF, Sotereanos DG, Tomaino MM. Recurrent carpal tunnel syndrome: treatment options. J South Orthop Assoc. 1999;8:28–36.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Zieske L, Ebersole GC, Davidge K, Fox I, Mackinnon SE. Revision carpal tunnel surgery: a 10-year review of intraoperative findings and outcomes. J Hand Surg [Am]. 2013;38(8):1530–9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Wadstroem J, Nigst H. Reoperation for carpal tunnel syndrome. A retrospective analysis of forty cases. Ann Chir Main. 1986;5:54–8.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. De Smet L. Recurrent carpal tunnel syndrome. Clinical testing indicating incomplete section of the flexor retinaculum. J Hand Surg (Br). 1993;18(2):189.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Goitz RJ, Steichen JB. Microvascular omental transfer for the treatment of severe recurrent median neuritis of the wrist: a long-term follow-up. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2005;115(1):163–71.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Dellon AL, Mackinnon SE. The pronator quadratus muscle flap. J Hand Surg. 1984;9A:423–7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Jones NF, Shaw WW, Katz RG, et al. Circumferential wrapping of a flap around a scarred peripheral nerve for salvage of end-stage traction neuritis. J Hand Surg. 1997;22A:527–35.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Sotereanos DG, Xu J. Vein wrapping for the treatment of recurrent carpal tunnel syndrome. Tech Hand Upper Extrem Surg. 1997;1:35–40.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Varitimidis SE, Riano F, Vardakas DG, et al. Recurrent compressive neuropathy of the median nerve at the wrist: treatment with autogenous saphenous vein wrapping. J Hand Surg. 2000;25:271–5.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Gannon C, Baratz K, Baratz ME. The synovial flap in recurrent and failed carpal tunnel surgery. Oper Tech Orthop. 2007;17:102–5.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Mosier BA, Hughes TB. Recurrent carpal tunnel syndrome. Hand Clin. 2013;29(3):427–34.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Schreiber JE, Foran MP, Schreiber DJ, et al. Common risk factors seen in secondary carpal tunnel surgery. Ann Plast Surg. 2005;55:262–5.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Unglaub F, Wolf E, Goldbach C. Subjective and functional outcome after revision surgery in carpal tunnel syndrome. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg. 2008;128:931–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Steyers C. Recurrent carpal tunnel syndrome. Hand Clin. 2002;18:339–45.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Beck JD, Brothers JG, Maloney PJ, Deegan JH, Tang X, Klena JC. Predicting the outcome of revision carpal tunnel release. J Hand Surg [Am]. 2012;37(2):282–7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Melvin JL, Johnson EW, Duran R. Electrodiagnosis after surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 1968;49:502–7.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Stütz N, Gohritz A, Novotny A. Clinical and electrophysiological comparison of different methods of soft tissue coverage of the median nerve in recurrent carpal tunnel syndrome. Neurosurgery. 2008;62:194–8.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Karabay N, Toros T, Çetinkol E, Ada S. Correlations between ultrasonography findings and surgical findings in patients with refractory symptoms after primary surgical release for carpal tunnel syndrome. Acta Orthop Traumatol Turc. 2015;49(2):126–32.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Karabay N, Kayalar M, Ada S. Sonographic assessment of transverse carpal ligament after open surgical release of the carpal tunnel. Acta Orthop Traumatol Turc. 2013;47(2):73–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Tan TC, Yeo CJ, Smith EW. High definition ultrasound as diagnostic adjunct for incomplete carpal tunnel release. J `. 2011;16(3):289–94.

    Google Scholar 

  32. Varitimidis S, Herndon J, Sotereanos D. Failed endoscopic carpal tunnel release. J Hand Surg (Br). 1999;24:465–7.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Strickland JW, Idler RS, Lourie GM, Plancher KD. The hypothenar fat pad flap for management of recalcitrant carpal tunnel syndrome. J Hand Surg [Am]. 1996;21(5):840–8.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. Craft RO, Duncan SF, Smith AA. Management of recurrent carpal tunnel syndrome with microneurolysis and the hypothenar fat pad flap. Hand. 2007;2(3):85–9.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  35. Cramer LM. Local fat coverage for the median nerve. In: Lankford LL, editor. Correspondence Newsletter for hand surgery, vol. 35. Chicago, IL: ASSH; 1985.

    Google Scholar 

  36. Rose EH. The use of the palmaris brevis flap in recurrent carpal tunnel syndrome. Hand Clin. 1996;12:389–95.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. Rose EH, et al. Palmaris brevis turnover flap as an adjunct to internal neurolysis of the chronically scarred median nerve in recurrent carpal tunnel syndrome. J Hand Surg [Am]. 1991;16:191–201.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. Abzug JM, Jacoby SM, Osterman AL. Surgical options for recalcitrant carpal tunnel syndrome with perineural fibrosis. Hand. 2012;7(1):23–9.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  39. Fusetti C, Garavaglia G, Mathoulin C, et al. A reliable and simple solution for recalcitrant carpal tunnel syndrome: the hypothenar fat pad flap. Am J Orthop. 2009;38:181–6.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. Wichelhaus A, Mittlmeier T, Gierer P, Beck M. Vascularized hypothenar fat pad flap in revision surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome. J Neurol Surg. 2015;76(6):438–42.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  41. Tham SK, Ireland DC, Riccio M, Morrison WA. Reverse radial artery fascial flap: a treatment for the chronically scarred median nerve in recurrent carpal tunnel syndrome. J Hand Surg [Am]. 1996;21(5):849–54.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  42. Mahmoud M, El Shafie S, Coppola EE, Elfar JC. Perforator-based radial forearm fascial flap for management of recurrent carpal tunnel syndrome. J Hand Surg [Am]. 2013;38(11):2151–8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  43. Dahlin LB, Lekholm C, Kardum P, Holmberg J. Coverage of the median nerve with free and pedicled flaps for the treatment of recurrent severe carpal tunnel syndrome. Scand J Plast Reconstr Surg Hand Surg. 2002;36(3):172–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  44. O’Brien JP, Mackinnon SE, MacLean AR, Hudson AR, Dellon AL, Hunter DA. A model of chronic nerve compression in the rat. Ann Plast Surg. 1987;19(5):430–5.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  45. Xu J, Sotereanos DG, Moller AR, Jacobsohn J, Tomaino MM, Fischer KJ, Herndon JH. Nerve wrapping with vein grafts in a rat model: a safe technique for the treatment of recurrent chronic compressive neuropathy. J Reconstr Microsurg. 1998;14(5):323–30.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  46. Xu J, Varitimidis SE, Fisher KJ, Tomaino MM, Sotereanos DG. The effect of wrapping scarred nerves with autogenous vein graft to treat recurrent chronic nerve compression. J Hand Surg [Am]. 2000;25(1):93–103.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  47. Chou KH, Papadimitriou NG, Sarris I, Sotereanos DG. Neovascularization and other histopathologic findings in an autogenous saphenous vein wrap used for recalcitrant carpal tunnel syndrome: a case report. J Hand Surg [Am]. 2003;28(2):262–6.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  48. Vardakas DG, Varitimidis SE, Sotereanos DG. Findings of exploration of a vein-wrapped ulnar nerve: report of a case. J Hand Surg [Am]. 2001;26(1):60–3.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  49. Varitimidis SE, Vardakas DG, Goebel F, Sotereanos DG. Treatment of recurrent compressive neuropathy of peripheral nerves in the upper extremity with an autologous vein insulator. J Hand Surg [Am]. 2001;26(2):296–302.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  50. Sotereanos DG, Giannakopoulos PN, Mitsionis GI, Xu J, Herndon JH. Vein graft wrapping for the treatment of recurrent compression of the median nerve. Microsurgery. 1995;16(11):752–6.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  51. Archibald SJ, Krarup C, Li ST, et al. A collagen-based nerve guide conduit for peripheral nerve repair: an electrophysiological study of nerve regeneration in rodents and nonhuman primates. J Comp Neurol. 1991;307:1–12.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  52. Li ST, Archibald SJ, Krarup C, et al. Peripheral nerve repair with collagen conduits. Clin Mater. 1992;9:195–200.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  53. Tollestrup T, Berg C, Netscher D. Management of distal traumatic median nerve painful neuromas and of recurrent carpal tunnel syndrome: hypothenar fat pad flap. J Hand Surg [Am]. 2010;35:1010–4.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  54. Soltani AM, Allan BJ, Best MJ, Mir HS, Panthaki ZJ. A systematic review of the literature on the outcomes of treatment for recurrent and persistent carpal tunnel syndrome. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2013;132(1):114–21.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  55. Leslie BM, Ruby LK. Coverage of a carpal tunnel wound dehiscence with the abductor digiti minimi muscle flap. J Hand Surg. 1988;13A:36–9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  56. Sarris I, Sotereanos D. Vein wrapping for recurrent median nerve compression. Hand. 2004;4:189–94.

    Google Scholar 

  57. Chang B, Dellon AL. Surgical management of recurrent carpal tunnel syndrome. J Hand Surg (Br). 1993;18:467–70.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  58. Mathoulin C, Bahm J, Roukoz S. Pedicled hypothenar fat flap for median nerve coverage in recalcitrant carpal tunnel syndrome. J Hand Surg. 2000;5:33–40.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Joelle Tighe, BS, and Edward Donley, BS, for their assistance in preparing this manuscript.

Disclosure

The authors have no financial interest to declare in relation to the content of this chapter.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Mark E. Baratz .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2017 Springer International Publishing AG

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Sela, Y., Papatheodorou, L.K., Hess, L., Sotereanos, D.G., Baratz, M.E. (2017). Revision Carpal Tunnel Surgery Options. In: Duncan, S., Kakinoki, R. (eds) Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Related Median Neuropathies. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-57010-5_16

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-57010-5_16

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-57008-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-57010-5

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics