[The effect of surgical technic of the cost of surgical treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome].

INTRODUCTION

Many publications have shown the efficiency along with the harmlessness of endoscopic release, in the idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome. Some advantages have appeared such as an increase in post-operative well-being, a quicker recovery, hence a shorter sick leave. We wanted to know wether these advantages meant a reduced cost price for the community.

METHOD: Since 1997, a hundred patient belonging to the social security system have been treated according to one of the three following methods: the Agee technique endoscopic release, isolated section of annular anterior carpal ligament, section-plasty. To calculate the cost, surgery and hospitalization cost price, post-operative paramedical services and daily payments have been taken into account.

RESULTS

For a working subject, the endoscopic carpal tunnel release has enabled to save about 40% of the total cost, compared with the usual technique, mainly due to a shorter sick leave. Likewise, the section-plasty has proved to save 17% of the cost.

DISCUSSION: The parameters which were taken into account in the total cost together with their calculation are controversial. The main problem of the study lies in the limited number of working subjects. Therefore, studying larger series would enable to confirm the interest of one method or the other.