[Limited open dissection of the flexor retinaculum in the surgical treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome].

Decompression of the median nerve with flexor retinaculum release is the keystone of the surgical treatment of the carpal tunnel syndrome. There is still a scientific discussion about the risks and benefits of the conventional surgical techniques (radical open versus endoscopic dissection). In our mind limited-open release of the flexor retinaculum seems to be an optimal method, because of the fact that combines the predominant benefits of the conventional techniques (e.g. direct visual exploration of the nerve, decrease of the postoperative pain and morbidity, shortening of the postoperative reconvalescence etc.). Thirty-eight patients with carpal tunnel syndrome treated with an open-limited release were followed up. Any wound infection or other healing complication, any chronic pain of the palm (as a result of a palmar cutaneous branch of the median nerve injury), or painful scarring were remarked postoperatively. One patient (2.6%) underwent reoperation because of the symptoms recurrence. Other patients with complete resolution of the symptomatology were satisfied with the surgery.