Recently, endoscopic carpal tunnel release (ECTR) technique is developed to decrease postoperative morbidity. The authors analized the clinical results and evaluated the usefulness of ECTR system.

The sixty-eight patients with 92 hands treated using Agee Endoscopic Carpal Tunnel Release System in our hospital from February 2002 to June 2006 were evaluated retrospectively. And mean follow-up periods were about six months. The analysis was made several factor including clinical symptom, subjective satisfaction and complication.

Most of patients were females (63 cases). 24 patients were operated in both hands. 74 cases (80.4%) were satisfied the result immediately. And all the patient were satisfied during follow-up periods. Most of patients (89 cases) returned to their normal life within two weeks. Postoperative complications were subcutaneous hemorrhage in 5 cases and wound dehiscence in 1 case but all the complications did not affect the results.

ECTR is relatively safe and effective treatment method in carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). For the satisfied results, surgeons need to understand the surgical anatomy of carpal tunnel.