1. Hayes, E.P., Bradley, M.P., Akelman, E., Weiss, A.P.C., “A prospective study of outcome following mini-open carpal tunnel release.” Poster Exhibit, ASSH meeting in Baltimore, MD, October 5, 2001.
Mini-incision carpal tunnel releases were performed using the safeguard mini CTR system (KMI, San Diego). 14 hands were covered under worker’s compensation. 20 patients representing 31 hands (91%) were satisfied. Two patients (3 hands, 9%) did not express complete satisfaction; both were worker’s compensation patients. No voc. rehab was necessary. The mean time return to work was 4 weeks in the non-work comp and 9 weeks in the work comp group. They noted statistically significant improvement in symptom severity and functional status scores when compared to a comparable historical cohort of patients undergoing standard carpal tunnel release, thus further demonstrating the value of a small incision technique for performing surgery on the hand.
2. Lee, W.P.A., Plancher, K.D., and Strickland, J.W. “Carpal tunnel release with a small palmar incision.” Hand Clinics, 1996; 12.
Shows the potential for succuss using a small palmer incision without endoscopic technique. Two nerves were lacerated thus mitigating against any claim towards being safer than ECTR.