Real-world data on efficacy and safety of 1256 consecutive ultrasound-guided percutaneous carpal tunnel release.

PURPOSE: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a prevalent condition requiring effective and safe treatment options. This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of ultrasound-guided carpal tunnel release (UCTR) in routine clinical practice. Furthermore, we assessed UCTR outcomes in terms of symptom resolution, patient satisfaction, and complication rates using real-world data extracted via a natural language processing model.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was performed on 926 patients who underwent 1256 UCTR procedures between November 2018 and May 2024. Primary outcomes included the resolution of paresthesia and pain, and secondary outcomes involved strength restoration and patient satisfaction. Complication rates were assessed to evaluate safety. Data accuracy and precision were validated through standardized methods.

RESULTS

Post-UCTR, significant symptom improvement was observed, with paresthesia rates decreasing from 99% (620/626) to 8.5% (79/926) and pain rates from 96% (654/926) to 9% (83/926). Strength restoration was noted, and 95.8% (628/926) of patients reported positive results with the procedure. Safety was demonstrated by a low complication rate of 0.7% (10/1256). Validation demonstrated data accuracy of 96.3% and precision of 100%.

CONCLUSION

UCTR is a highly effective and safe intervention for CTS that delivers substantial symptom relief, high patient satisfaction, and minimal risk. These findings support the adoption of UCTR in clinical practice. Further prospective studies are recommended to confirm these results and investigate long-term outcomes.