The One Portal Technique for Decompression of the Median Nerve

Abstract

Sir James Learmonth was the first who performed a surgical release of the transverse carpal ligament for posttraumatic median nerve compression. Years later Comson and Dove and again one year later Brain described in detail the symptoms and recommended surgical release of the carpal ligament. But since George Phalen published 1950 and 1951 his articles about compression neuropathy of the median nerve beneath the transverse carpal ligament, the operative release to decompress the median nerve was well known world-wide. Several articles were published with different techniques and results. (1989), (1990) and (1989) described new techniques using an arthroscope, to make the cut through of the ligament visible. Single portal or two portal techniques are in competition, concerning the results and complications.