Symptomatic relief is less after reoperation for carpal tunnel syndrome compared with outcome after primary median nerve decompression

Abstract

Objective: Carpal tunnel release (CTR), the golden standard treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), is beneficial forthe majority of patients, but up to 25% may have a less satisfactory outcome and require additional surgery. The aim of thisstudy was to compare outcome after reoperation for CTS with outcome after primary CTR.Methods: In a retrospective study, September 2009 to February 2011, data were collected from patients’ medical journals,preoperative health declarations and QuickDASH questionnaires, pre- and one-year postoperatively. Twenty patients re-operated due to recurrent or persistent CTS were identified and compared to 493 patients who had undergone primary nervedecompression.Results: Preoperatively, the re-operated patients had a higher median nerve sensory conduction velocity at wrist level (38[33-45] vs. 31 [22–38] m/s; p