Open Access
J Brachial Plex Peripher Nerve Inj 2008; 03(01): e35-e38
DOI: 10.1186/1749-7221-3-11
Research article
Nabhan et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

Endoscopic Carpal Tunnel Release using a modified application technique of local anesthesia: safety and effectiveness[*]

Abdullah Nabhan
1   Department of Neurosurgery, Neurosurgical Department, University of Saarland, Homburg, Germany
,
Basem Ishak
1   Department of Neurosurgery, Neurosurgical Department, University of Saarland, Homburg, Germany
,
Jehad Al-Khayat
2   Department of Anesthesia, Anesthesia Department, University of Saarland, Homburg, Germany
,
Wolf-Ingo Steudel
1   Department of Neurosurgery, Neurosurgical Department, University of Saarland, Homburg, Germany
› Author Affiliations

Subject Editor:
Further Information

Publication History

02 December 2007

25 April 2008

Publication Date:
17 September 2014 (online)

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Abstract

Background Local anesthesia is widely used for open carpal tunnel release. However, injection of local anesthesia as described by Altissimi and Mancini (1988) can interfere with endoscopic carpal tunnel release, by increasing the bulk of synovial layers and consequently result in worsening of the view.

Purpose The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety, efficacy using modified technique for application of local anesthesia.

Methods 33 patients suffering from gradual increasing symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. The patients were also asked to evaluate the pain associated with injection as well as tourniquet during surgery using Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) (ranging from 0 = no pain to 10 = maximum pain).

Results One patient required additionally local anesthesia because of mild pain in the hand. The tourniquet was inflated for 13.00 (2.8 min). The pain score related to injection was 2.5 (0.8) and to tourniquet was 3.6 (0.9). Inflation of the tourniquet was well tolerated by all patients. Postoperative neurological sensory and motor deficits related to surgery and local blocks were not occurred.

Conclusion Endoscopic release of the carpal tunnel syndrome in local anesthesia is effective, well tolerated and safe. This kind of application of local anesthesia did not reduce visibility.

*This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.