Carpal tunnel decompression with limited one-incision technique has been reported that it is possible to achieve a sufficient decompression without significant complications. We evaluated the clinical effectiveness of this method.

Forty-two cases of twenty-eight patients of carpal tunnel syndrome were retrospectively evaluated, which were treated with limited one-incision technique less than 2 cm in length, from January 1997 to September 1999.

According to Cseuz's criteria, 36 cases (85.7%) were excellent or good.

Carpal tunnel decompression with limited one-incision technique can provide sufficient decompression with small skin incision. It is not necessary of special eqipment. It has less copmplications and no difference of clinical results comparing with classic open method or endoscopic method. Therefore, this method can be a good method in the surgical treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome. But this method can't be performed in the patient with abnormal anatomical structure or tumorous conditions in carpal tunnel and complication rates are not zero. Therefore operator should pay attention to the selection of patients and the technique.