Carpal tunnel release with short incision.

A new approach for carpal tunnel release is presented. By means of a specially designed guide, it is possible to completely section the carpal ligament with a short incision without damaging the carpal contents. When the retinaculum has been sectioned and the guide removed by means of three Senn-Miller retractors, one proximally and two laterally, the median nerve is seen perfectly. We performed an anatomic study to determine where the incision should be made to avoid injuring the vascular arch, the cutaneous palmar branch of the median nerve, and the ulnar nerve. We present the results obtained in 112 patients followed up for 1 year. Complaints about tenderness of the scar disappeared, and by the end of the study, patients had regained 126 percent of their preoperative grip strength. All patients were able to use their hands shortly after the operation, and after 3 weeks, all of them returned to work. We think that by using this approach we combine the advantages of the "endoscopic" technique (minimal scar, no tenderness, and early recovery) with those of the classic open technique (exploration of the carpal contents).