Endoscopic carpal tunnel release using the biportal technique.

The clinical study consisted of 27 patients and 30 hands that were operated on with the biportal endoscopic carpal tunnel release technique between 2000 and 2002. The mean follow-up time was 28 months. The time to return to work or complete recovery was found to average 12 days. The rate of functional recovery was 93% (27 hands), and 90% of hands (26 hands) were free of symptoms at the time of publication. According to our study, we conclude that the biportal endoscopic technique is an effective method to attain patient comfort; it is a minimally invasive method with a low complication rate in experienced hands for surgical treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome. Military persons can return to work quickly, without deficits in hand skills, with the use of this technique.