Long-term outcome after carpal tunnel decompression - a prospective randomised study of the Indiana Tome and a standard limited palmar incision.

This randomised trial compared the results of carpal tunnel decompression using the TM Indiana Tome (Biomet, Warsaw, Indiana, USA) and a standard limited palmar open incision. Two hundred patients were randomly selected to have a carpal tunnel decompression with either the Indiana Tome or a limited palmar technique. They were assessed clinically for 3 months and using the Levine-Katz self-assessment evaluation for 7 years. After 7 years, there were 62 returned questionnaires from the open group and 53 from the Tome group. There were no significant differences in functional scores, pain, scar tenderness, pinch and grip strength at 3 months. There were two complications in the open group and nine in the Tome group, including one median nerve injury. There was both a higher rate of immediate complications, and more recurrences and persisting symptoms at 7 years in the Indiana Tome group.