Surgical technique to reduce scar discomfort after carpal tunnel surgery

A total of 379 patients (416 hands) with clinically diagnosed and electromyographically confirmed carpal tunnel syndrome were enrolled in a prospective study to determine the influence of a modified open decompression technique on postoperative scar discomfort. The new technique used in 184 patients (200 hands) is presented. Special attention was focused on identification and preservation of macroscopically detectable subcutaneous nerves. After using this method, which permits complete visualization of the entire transverse carpal ligament, the incidence of postoperative scar discomfort was 2.5%. This was significantly lower compared with the group of 195 patients (216 hands) treated by standard open decompression technique, without preservation of subcutaneous nerves. Primary results regarding relieving symptoms were comparable in both groups. Five anatomic variations of subcutaneous innervation, at the site of the incision in the line with the radial border of the ring finger, are described. The etiology of scar discomfort is discussed. (J Hand Surg 2002;27A: 821-827. Copyright (C) 2002 by the American Society for Surgery of the Hand.).