Our 15-year experience of complications of Chow’s technique for endoscopic carpal tunnel releasing

ABSTRACT

Purpose

Our objective in this study was to summarize our 15-year experience treating carpal tunnel syndrome released with Chow technique, focusing on the complications and how to avoid them.

Method

We systematically evaluated the postoperative complications in 211 patients who underwent endoscopic carpal tunnel release (ECTR) with Chow technique. We recorded the incidence of complex regional pain syndrome type I (CRPS I), median nerve and digital nerve injury, superficial palmar arch injury, and tendon injury.

Result

The overall incidence of complications was 5.6%, and involved 10 cases of CRPS I, 1 case of median nerve trunk injury, and 1 case of superficial palmar arch injury. No other complication occurred. We used oral pregabalin and neurotropin to relieve CRPS I symptoms, and performed second operations for the other two complications.

Conclusions

Our study revealed that ECTR could reduce structural and cutaneous complications, but increase the incidence of nerve injury. we speculated that the incidence of CRPS I may be higher in the Asian population.

KEYWORDS:

• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Chow technique
• complication
• endoscopic carpal tunnel release

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.

Notes on contributors

Yu-xuan Wu

Yuxuan Wu, PhD, is an orthopedic surgeon for 15 years. He has extensive clinical experience in the diagnosis and treatment of peripheral nerve injury diseases. In scientific research, he mainly studies the basic theory of joint peripheral nerve injury, tissue engineering repair peripheral nerve injury.

He Yin

He Yin, MD, is an excellent young hand surgeon who the treatment of hand trauma and acute nerve injury. As an excellent assistant, he finished various clinical work in Professor Qu's department.

Jia-yi Lin

Jiayi Lin, MD, is an excellent young hand surgeon who specializes in all types of emergency hand trauma. As an excellent assistant, he finished various clinical work in Professor Qu's department.

Hua-jun Jiang

Huajun Jiang, PhD, is a professor of hand surgery at the First Hospital of Dalian Medical University and has more than 20 years of clinical experience. In clinical practice, specialized in all kinds of upper limb trauma emergency treatment, neurological diseases systemic treatment.

Feng Han

Feng Han, PhD, is a professor of hand surgery at the First Hospital of Dalian Medical University and specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of chronic diseases of upper limb and ankle. In scientific research, mainly engaged in basic research on neurological diseases.

Si-da Liu

Sida Liu, PhD, graduated from Fudan University in Shanghai and is an excellent hand surgeon at the First Hospital of Dalian Medical University. He specializes in arthroscopic treatment of chronic upper limb diseases.

Wei Qu

Wei Qu, PhD, is the chief of hand surgery of the First Hospital of Dalian Medical University and the chief of orthopedic department of the First Hospital of Dalian Medical University. He specializes in the treatment of various acute and chronic diseases of the upper limbs. He also has extensive clinical experience in endoscopic treatment of peripheral nerve injury. In scientific research, mainly engaged in tissue engineering repair peripheral nerve injury research.