Surgical treatment options for carpal tunnel syndrome

Scholten RJPM, Mink van der Molen A, Uitdehaag BMJ, Bouter LM, de Vet HCW

Published Online:

January 21, 2009

There 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).

Abstract (click to read)

Background:

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common disorder for which several surgical treatment options are available.

Objectives:

To 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 strategy:

We 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 criteria:

Randomised controlled trials comparing various surgical techniques for the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome.

Data collection and analysis:

Two review authors performed study selection, assessment of methodological quality and data extraction independently of each other.

Main results:

Thirty-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' conclusions:

There 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.

This record should be cited as:

Scholten RJPM, Mink van der Molen A, Uitdehaag BMJ, Bouter LM, de Vet HCW. Surgical treatment options for carpal tunnel syndrome. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2007, Issue 4. Art. No.: CD003905. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD003905.pub3

Assessed as up to date:

July 31, 2007

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Primary Review Group:

Neuromuscular Disease Group

Health topics:

Neurology > Peripheral neuropathy > Carpal tunnel syndrome

Cochrane Summaries^beta

Independent high-quality evidence for health care decision making

Surgical treatment options for carpal tunnel syndrome

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