Endoscopic carpal tunnel release for recurrent carpal tunnel syndrome after previous open release.

Recurrent carpal tunnel syndrome from various causes has been shown to occur in up to 19% of patients. Endoscopic carpal tunnel release has been used to decompress the median nerve in carpal tunnel syndrome for many years. However, endoscopic release for recurrent carpal tunnel syndrome after previous surgical release has not been reported. Nine hands in six patients had recurrent carpal tunnel syndrome five to 20 years after previous open carpal tunnel release. All the cases were successfully treated with endoscopic release.