Carpal tunnel release using a short palmar incision and a new knife.

A new knife with its own battery powered light source (Knifelight, Stryker Instruments, Kalamazoo, Michigan, USA) was used for carpal tunnel release in 31 wrists of 25 patients. Under local anaesthesia, a short palmar incision was used and the carpal tunnel contents were visualized during division of the flexor retinaculum. The mean operation time was 11 minutes and no major complications were seen. The patients could use their hands for self-care after 3 days and returned to work at a mean of 23 days. At a minimum follow-up of 6 months, all but one of the patients were satisfied with the final result. Mild scar tenderness was seen in two patients and pillar pain in one patient.