[Carpal tunnel syndrome].

The carpal tunnel syndrome is the most frequent entrapment syndrome of peripheral nerves. Either a diminution of the volume of the whole carpal tunnel or increasement of the intracarpal structures can enhance the pressure on the median nerve and so develop a carpal tunnel syndrome. Fibrosis or thickening of the synovia of the wrist joint is the most common cause of the syndrome, that appears usually in women more than 50 years old. Irradiating pain and sensory disturbances are the most frequent subjective complaints. Motoric changes appear in a minority of patients with the syndrome. The operative procedure is done ambulatory with brachial plexus anesthesia. The subcutaneous 'ramus palmaris nervi mediani' should be treated carefully when releasing the transverse ligament. After a mean time of 24.1 months, 28 of carpal tunnel syndromes treated operatively had a significant amelioration. Seven patients had recurrent sensible or motoric complaints, one of them was operated on a second time. Postoperative recurrent carpal tunnel syndrome mostly is due to inadequate technique or fibrous proliferations.