Purpose
The aim of this study was to evaluate electrodiagnostic studies and clinical outcomes
after carpal tunnel release surgery in moderate and severe cases of carpal tunnel
syndrome (CTS).
Methods
Seventy-two patients with moderate or severe CTS who underwent carpal tunnel release
surgery (46 unilateral; 26 bilateral; total, 98 surgeries) between 2009 and 2014 were
included in the study. The cases were divided into 2 groups according to electrodiagnostic
results: those with moderate CTS and those with severe CTS. Michigan Hand Outcomes
Questionnaire scores and electrodiagnostic data (sensory nerve action potentials and
compound muscle action potentials) were recorded before surgery and in postoperative
follow-up studies obtained at 3 months, 1 year, and 5 years.
Results
There were 56 surgeries in the moderate CTS group and 42 surgeries in the severe CTS
group. Sensory nerve action potentials and compound muscle action potentials were
significantly lower in the severe CTS group when compared to the moderate CTS group
at all follow-up times. There was a significant difference in Michigan Hand Outcomes
Questionnaire scores between the groups before surgery, but no significant differences
at the final follow-up. It was found that the values of all parameters (sensory nerve
action potentials, compound muscle action potentials, and Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire
score) demonstrated significant improvements with time in both the severe and the
moderate CTS groups.
Conclusions
Carpal tunnel release surgery improves symptoms, regardless of the preoperative severity.
Postoperative electrodiagnostic study results of patients with moderate CTS improve
to a greater degree than those of patients with severe CTS, but all remain abnormal.
Type of study/level of evidence
Prognosis IIb.
Key words
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Article Info
Publication History
Published online: June 15, 2022
Accepted:
April 13,
2022
Received:
April 13,
2021
Footnotes
No benefits in any form have been received or will be received related directly or indirectly to the subject of this article.
Identification
Copyright
© 2022 by the American Society for Surgery of the Hand. All rights reserved.
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