Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A Review of Endoscopic Release of the Transverse Carpal Ligament Compared With Open Carpal Tunnel Release

This article is a review of endoscopic carpal tunnel release compared with open carpal tunnel release. In the first section, a brief account of anatomical and pathophysiologic aspects relevant for carpal tunnel surgery is given. It is followed by an overview of the different techniques presently available for endoscopic carpal tunnel release, comprising both monoportal and biportal approaches. Contraindications for endoscopic carpal tunnel release are discussed in detail. Results and complications of the endoscopic techniques are then compared with those of open carpal tunnel release. The article concludes that the development of new techniques, as well as increased knowledge of the contraindications, has made endoscopic carpal tunnel release as safe and effective as open carpal tunnel release.