1. Ablove, R.H. Peimer, C.A., Diao, E. Oliverio, R., Kuhn, J.P. “Morphologic changes following endoscopic and two-portal subcutaneous carpal tunnel release.” JHS, 1994; 19A: 821-826.
2. Agee, J.M., McCarroll, H.R., Tortosa, R.D., Berry, D.A., Szabo, R.M., and Peimer, C.A. "Endoscopic release of the carpal tunnel: A randomized prospective multicenter study." JHS, 1992; 1A: 987-995.
The worst results ever reported for ECTR. Introduced the “inside job”.
3. Brown, R.A., Gelberman, R.H., Seiler, III, J.G. Abrahamsson, S.O., Weiland, A.J., Urbaniak, J.R., Schoenfeld, D.A, and Furcolo, D. “ Carpal tunnel release.” JBJS, 1993; 75A: 9:1265-1275.
4. Brown, M. G., et. al. “Results of 1236 endoscopic carpal tunnel release procedures using the Brown technique,” Contemp Orthop, 1993; 27:3.
5. Brown, M.G., Rothenberg, E.S., Keyser, B., Woloszyn, T.T., Wolford, A., “Results of endoscopic carpal tunnel release procedures using the brown technique.” Arthroscopy, 1993; 9:5:498-508.
6. Chow, J.C.Y., “Endoscopic release of the carpal ligament: A new technique for carpal tunnel syndrome.” Arthroscopy, 1989; 5:1:19-24.
Introduction to a two portal ECTR.
7. Chow, J.C.Y. “Endoscopic release of the carpal ligament for carpal tunnel syndrome: 22-month clinical result.” Arthroscopy, 1990; 6:4:288-296.
Further results of two portal ECTR.
8. Chow, J.C.Y., “Endoscopic release of the carpal ligament for carpal tunnel syndrome using the chow technique.” AAOS Bulletin July 1992.
9. Erdman, M.W.H., et al, “Endoscopic carpal tunnel decompression.” JHS, 1994; 19B: 5-13.
10. Gibbs, K.E., Rand, W., Ruby, L.K. “Open vs. endoscopic carpal tunnel release.” Orthopedics, 1996; 19:12: 1025-1028.
No added value. Just shows ECTR works. Very poorly compiled small study retrospectively comparing ECTR and OCTR.
11. Ichtertz, D.R., “Open carpal tunnel release vs. endoscopic technique fact vs. fiction.” Nebraska Hand and Shoulder Institute, 1999; Grand Island, NE.
A refreshing summary of the differences in technique and how it affects recovery.
12. Jacobsen, M.B., and Rahme, H. “A prospective, Randomized study with an independent observer comparing open carpal tunnel release with endoscopic carpal tunnel release.” JHS, 1996; 21B: 2:202-204.
13. Kato, T., Kuroshima, N., Okutsu, I., Ninomiya, S., Tokyo, Japan. “Effects of endoscopic release of the transverse carpal ligament on carpal canal volume.” JHS, 1994; 19A: 416-419.
Reveals the essential mechanics of ECTR and the reason for decreasing the pressure in the CT.
14. Lee, D.H., Masear, V.R., Meyer, R.D., Stevens, D.M., and Colgin, S. “Endoscopic carpal tunnel release: A cadaveric study.” JHS 1992; 17A: 1003-1008.
15. Lee, A., Strickland, J.W., “Safe carpal tunnel release via a limited palmar incision.” Plastic & Recon Surg, 1998; 101:2:418-424.
Narration on open CTR in which two median nerve transactions occur.
16. Linscheid, R.L. “Con: Endoscopic carpal tunnel release.” AAOS Bulletin July 1992.
Must read. Seven years after I gave up this technique it is reinvented with extra tools but no added benefit.
17. Menon, J., “Endoscopic carpal tunnel release: A single-portal technique.” Contemp Orthop, 1993; 26:2.
A refreshingly different method of ECTR kits sold by Conmed (now Linvatec).
18. Mirza, M.A., King, Jr., E.T., and Tanveer, S. “Palmar uniportal extrabursal endoscopic carpal tunnel release.” Arthroscopy, 1995; 11:1:82-90.
Performing ECTR backwards from Chow re-modifies his technique without affecting the results. Adds nothing.
19. Nagle, D., Harris, G., and Marijoy, F. “Prospective review of 278 endoscopic carpal tunnel releases using the modified chow technique.” Arthroscopy: 1994; 10:3:259-265.
Another report showing satisfactory results with ECTR but woefully slow return to work post op.
20. Nathan, P.A., Meadows, K.D., Keniston, R.C., “Rehabilitation of carpal tunnel surgery patients using a short surgical incision and early program of physical therapy.” JHS, 1993; 18A: 6:1044-1050.
Reveals excessive hand therapy in post op CTR patients with no added benefit proven.
21. Okutsu, I., Ninomiya, S., Takatori, Y., and Ugawa, Y. “Endoscopic management of carpal tunnel syndrome.” Arthroscopy, 1989; 5:1:11-18.
22. Okutsu, I., Hamanaka, I., Tanabe, T., Takatori, Y., and Ninomiya, S. “Complete endoscopic carpal canal decompression.” Am J Orthop, 1996; 365-368.
Shows that by release of the additional tissue layer, the palmer aponeurosis, further pressure is relieved beyond simple TCL release.
23. Palmer, D.H. J., Paulson, C., Lane-Larsen, C.L., Peulen, V.K., and Olson, J.D. “Endoscopic carpal tunnel release: A comparison of two techniques with open release.” J Arthro and Rel Surg, 1993; 9:5:498-508.
24. Ruch, D.S., Marr, A., Holden, M., James, P., Challa, V., Paterson, B., “Innervation density of the base of the palm.” JHS, 1999; 24A: 392-397.
Study yields anatomic explanation for decreased pain with ECTR over open CTR.
25. Seiler III, J.G., Barnes, K., Gelberman, R.H., and Chalidapong, P., Boston Mass. “Endoscopic carpal tunnel release: An anatomic study of the two-incision method in human cadavers.” JHS, 1992; 17A: 996-1002.
Poor report from surgeons fearful of ECTR/new technique.
26. Skoff, H.D. MD, and Sklar, S. “Endoscopic median nerve decompression: Early experience.” Plastic & Recon Surg, 1994; 94:5:691-694.
27. Trumble, T.E., “Outcome of single portal endoscopic vs. open carpal tunnel release: A prospective randomized trial.” AAOS poster exhibit, 2-28 through 3-4-2001, San Francisco, CA.
Shows earlier return to work, though still slow with ECTR over OCTR in a university patient population.