Microsurgical open mini uniskin incision technique in the surgical treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome.

BACKGROUND Patients who undergo carpal tunnel surgery sometimes complain of the restriction of the grip and pinch function, palmar tenderness, cosmetic problems, and scar formation at the site of the incision. AIMS We used a modified mini uni-skin incision with appropriate hand position for microscopic view in the surgical treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome to prevent cosmetic problems related with scar formation after surgery. SETTINGS AND DESIGN In this study we used two different skin incision techniques; mini uni-skin incision and standard incision. In mini uni-skin incision technique the hands were positioned in a way that the wrist are hyperextended. A small skin incision one cm long was done from the inferior flexion crease towards the point between the thirth and fourth fingers. MATERIALS AND METHODS Standard incision and mini uni-skin incision were compared according to their cosmetic result, grip and pinch function, palmar tenderness, and painful scar formation. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS Student -t test was used for this study. RESULTS 56 (43%) patients were operated with mini uni-skin incision, and 73 (57%) cases were operated with standard incision. The scores of grip, pinch and cosmetic results were better in the patients who were operated with mini uni-skin incision technique from those of standard incision. CONCLUSION In this clinical study we used a modified skin incision (mini uni-skin incision) technique in the surgical treatment of carpal tunnel surgery. Our results revealed that mini uni-skin incision is superior from the standard incision.