1. Blair, S.J., “Avoiding complications of surgery for nerve compression syndromes.” Ortho Clin North America, 1988; 19:1:125-130.
2. Bromley, G.S., “Minimal-incision open carpal tunnel decompression.” JHS, 1994; 19A: 119-120.
Six years after I gave up minimal incision in favor of ECTR, Dr. Bromley writes promoting it. There is no good data provided to support the technique.
3. Carroll, R.E., Green, D.P., “The significance of the palmar cutaneous nerve at the wrist.” Clin Ortho and Related Research, 1972; 83:24-28.
4. Cobb, T.K., Cooney, W.P., An, K.N., “Clinical location of hook of hamate: A technical note for endoscopic carpal tunnel release.” JHS, 1994; 19A: 3:516-518.
5. Engber, W.D., Gmeiner, J.G., “Palmer cutaneous branch of the ulnar nerve.” JHS, 1980; 5:1:26-29.
A rarely discussed nerve is also at risk of injury.
6. Hanssen, A.D., Amadio, P.C., DeSilva, S.P., Ilstrup, D.M., “Deep postoperative wound infection after carpal tunnel release.” JHS, 1989:14A: 869-873.
Typical report reflecting inadequate follow up and unusually low rate of infection as a result.
7. Johnson, R.K., Shrewsbury, M.M., “Anatomical course of the thenar branch of the median nerve-Usually in a separate tunnel through the transverse carpal ligament.” J of Bone and Joint Surg, 1970; 52A: 2:269-273.
Does not add any useful information.
8. Kang, H.J., Lee, S.G., Phillips, C.S., Mass, D.P., “Biomechanical changes of cadaveric finger flexion: The effect of wrist position and the transverse carpal ligament and palmar and forearm fasciae.” JHS, 1996:21A: 963-968.
9. Kuschner, S.H., Brien, W.W., Johnson, D., Gellman, H., “Complications associated with carpal tunnel release.” Ortho Review, 1991; 20:4:346-352.
Marginal article with no new data. Adds nothing.
10. Lilly, C.J., Magnell, T.D., “Severance of the thenar branch of the median nerve as a complication of carpal tunnel release.” JHS, 1985; 10A; 399-402.
Case report pointing out that even with open CTR nerve injury may occur.
11. Murphy, R.X., Jennings, J.F., Wukich, D.K., “Major neurovascular complications of endoscopic carpal tunnel release.” JHS, 1994; 19A: 114-118.
Case report of an injury.
12. Nath, R.K., Mackinnon, S.E., Weeks, P.M., “Ulnar nerve transection as a complication of two-portal endoscopic carpal tunnel release: A case report.” JHS, 1993; 18A: 5:896-898.
Case report from a surgeon who holds to the old school-OCTR.
13. Newmeyer, W.L., “Thoughts on the technique of carpal tunnel release.” Editorial, JHS, 1992; 17A: 6:985-986.
Points out the down side to open and endoscopic CTR.
14. Palmer, A.K., Toivonen, D.A., “Complications of endoscopic and open carpal tunnel release.” JHS, 1999:24A: 561-565.
The results of a mail in survey (guesses not facts) tabulating the complications of open and endoscopic CTR. A sobering list of complications of similar frequency is suggested.
15. Taleisnik, J., “The palmar cutaneous branch of the median nerve and the approach to the carpal tunnel.” J of Bone and Joint Surg, 1973; 55A: 6:1212-1217.
16. Weber, R.A., Sanders, W.E., “Flexor carpi radialis approach for carpal tunnel release.” JHS, 1997; 22A: 120-126.
17.Nahabedian, M.Y., Wittstadt, R.,Wilgis, E.F. Shaw,"Median nerve injury following YAG laser Carpal tunnel release." JHS, 1994:20A: 361-362.
This is a case report of a single redo open carpal tunnel release after failure to relieve cts symptoms with a YAG laser OCTR that was performed without a protective barrier between the nerve and the laser. Th authors identified a large amount of scar but nerve "damage" was not specifically clarified. An assumption is made that the primary laser surgery was performed incorrectly and the authors suggest that perhaps laser is not as safe as conventional release with a knife.