Endoscopic Carpal Tunnel Release versus Open Carpal Tunnel Release

Fast Facts About Endoscopic versus Open Carpal Tunnel Release ~ The Woodlands Hand Surgeon

• Endoscopic carpal tunnel release involves a smaller incision (typically 1 cm at the wrist) whereas open carpal tunnel release involves a larger incision over the palm of the hand (~3cm incision)
• Endoscopic carpal tunnel release has the advantage of less scar tenderness and pillar pain
• Patients who undergo an endoscopic carpal tunnel release has a faster grip recovery and earlier return to work in patients who are not recipients of workers' compensation
• In the hands of inexperienced surgeons, endoscopic carpal tunnel release has the potential for higher neurovascular complication rate owing to the technical demands of the procedure and its steep learning curve
• The decision of which procedure to perform is affected by the surgeon's experience and patient factors, which includes occupation, socioeconomic factors and patient's preference
• Studies have shown no difference in complication rates between the two techniques (open versus endoscopic carpal tunnel release)

I recommend asking your hand surgeon, whether they are trained as orthopedic or plastic surgeons, their technique preference as well as their experience in performing the endoscopic carpal tunnel release. 

Emmanuel De La Cruz M.D.

www.delacruzplasticsurgery.com

My Passion in Plastic Surgery ~ The Woodlands Hand Surgeon

Like playing the piano, there are two sub-specialties of Plastic surgery that I am passionate about: Aesthetic (Cosmetic) Surgery and Hand Surgery.  Mastering the smallest detail in anatomy is one aspect that I love about Aesthetic and Hand Surgery.  The meticulous dissection required in a facelift,  rhinoplasty and peripheral nerve surgery is exciting as it is related to the mastery of anatomy and innovative plastic surgical techniques.  The finesse and creativity involved in both cosmetic and hand surgery, such as creating a new thumb or making someone look 20 years younger, are exhilarating.  So what is my secret?  Hand and Aesthetic Surgery are my secret wives.  




Alaskan fisherman who had an amputation of his thumb from a work-related injury.

 


New thumb that Joel Solomon M.D. and I reconstructed using the patient's toe.

 

Emmanuel De La Cruz M.D.

Woodlands Plastic Surgeon

"To create something exceptional, your mindset must be relentlessly focused on the smallest detail."
~ Georgio Armani

Carpal tunnel syndrome ~ The Woodlands, Texas

Fast facts about Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

• The main symptom of carpal tunnel syndrome is numbness of the fingers, especially the thumb, the index and middle finger.
• When carpal tunnel syndrome worsens, this may interfere with hand strength and sensation, and cause a decrease in hand function.  This occurs when the muscles of the thumb become affected and may become irreversible when the carpal tunnel syndrome is not treated for a prolonged period of time.
• Mild carpal tunnel syndrome can be effectively treated with splinting, and temporarily by steroid injections in the wrist.
• When the symptoms of numbness sensation does not improve with conservative treatment, such as splinting, surgery is most likely needed (carpal tunnel release.)
• Two types of carpal tunnel release: Open carpal tunnel release with a large incision, and endoscopic carpal tunnel release with a 1 cm incision or less.

Emmanuel De La Cruz M.D.

Woodlands Plastic Surgeon

The Woodlands Hand Surgeon

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Articles

1) What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Miscellaneous Articles

1) Thumb reconstruction (Toe-to-Thumb Transfer)

 Emmanuel De La Cruz M.D.

Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
Woodlands Hand Surgeon 

The Woodlands, TX 77381