ABSTRACT

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the results and complications of open surgical treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome using local anesthesia technique and by applying arm tourniquet. In addition, the study also assessed the hand function at two different time intervals after operation.

Methods: In this cohort study, 280 patients were evaluated who underwent open surgery to treat carpal tunnel syndrome with the use of local anesthesia. Moreover, the disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand (DASH) score was calculated before operation and three and six months after the operation. Likewise, the numerical rating scale (NRS) was used to evaluate pain during the surgical procedure, at the time of local injection and at the postoperative days.

Results: The DASH score was found to be improved from 61.49 before surgery to 22.94 at third month and 13.87 six months postoperatively. Most of the patients got improved after three months of surgery. However, the full hand function was regained only after six months. Regarding the pain of local anesthetic injection, 93.6% of patients considered it as a simple pain. With respect to the use of tourniquet, 268 patients (95.7%) felt it to be a real discomfort.

 Conclusion: The use of plain lidocaine as local anesthesia and applying arm tourniquet for open surgical treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome is found to be effective in performing the procedure and for the final results. Most of the patients were satisfied with their hand function three months after surgery. However, the full hand function was regained only after six months of the surgery.