[Carpal tunnel syndrome following arteriovenous forearm shunt in chronic dialysis patients--a review of 24 surgically treated patients].

In a period from January 1981 to September 1985 271 patients underwent surgery because of a carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). In 24 patients (30 operated hands) with permanent kidney failure the CTS followed an arterio-venous shunt procedure in the forearm. Although there is a considerable variability concerning the interval between dialysis and onset of symptoms of median nerve entrapment CTS in patients with chronic hemodialysis is considered to be a late complication. In contrast in patients with idiopathic CTS a considerable time-lag has been noted between onset of symptoms and operative treatment which may be due either to diagnostic difficulties and/or delayed referral. The clinical picture presents with typical signs of a median nerve compression, known as brachialgia paresthetica nocturna. Operative treatment which consists of surgical division of the transverse ligament in local anaesthesia without interfascicular neurolysis is followed by immediate and usually longlasting pain relief. The possible etiology of CTS in patients with chronic hemodialysis which seems to be due to multiple factors is discussed.