Conventional surgery (the method currently available in hospitals) is performed with
a two to three-centimetre-long incision in the palm of the hand. The opening allows the
transverse ligament of the carpus to be cut to enlarge the canal, but this technique requires
the following structures to be sacrificed and cut;
-
- The skin
-
- Subcutaneous fatty tissue, which often contains small nerve fibres
-
- The muscle just above the transverse ligament of the carpus
This classic technique provides good results but has many disadvantages:
-
- It unnecessarily sacrifices important structures.
-
- The healing period is considerably longer.
-
- The risks of adhesion and post-operative stiffness increase.
-
- The scar in the palm of the hand may remain hypersensitive for months and may be
unsightly.
-
- The loss of postoperative strength can last for about four to six months.
-
- The treatment of both hands should usually be separated by two to three weeks.
Endoscopic
decompression using the Smart Release® system is the most efficient and rapid method of treating
carpal tunnel syndrome. This ultra-modern and minimally invasive technique is performed in a few
minutes under local anaesthesia and without stitches.
A 1 cm mini-incision is made on the wrist to insert miniaturized devices to cut the
ligament responsible for nerve compression. Unlike the traditional method, the skin and muscles
of the hand are not affected. The pain is minimal and the relief of symptoms is immediate.
The operation lasts about ten minutes and is performed while the patient is
completely awake. This method does not require postoperative care and the patient can quickly
return to his or her activities. Both hands can be treated in a single session, significantly
shortening the recovery period.
Although the effectiveness rate of both methods is comparable and both have very low
complication and recurrence rates, endoscopic release offers significant comfort and
productivity benefits.
Because of its less invasive nature, it provides rapid symptomatic relief, improved
motor recovery and a much faster return to normal activities.*
-
Minimally invasive technique.
-
Low discomfort and low risk of complications.
-
Immediate relief of numbness.
-
Direct improvement of sleep quality.
-
Minimal downtime – Most patients regain hand use within 24 to 48 hours.
-
Allows both hands to be treated in one session.
Dr. Brutus is a pioneer in endoscopic hand surgery in Canada and has already
successfully operated on several thousand patients.
*This information is provided for information purposes only. Results may
vary from patient to patient.
A significant proportion of people with carpal tunnel syndrome also have Lacertus
syndrome.
Lacertus syndrome is caused by compression of the median nerve at the elbow. Its
symptoms are similar to those of CTS and typically manifest as numbness, loss of strength,
decreased manual dexterity and pain in the forearm. The two conditions are frequently associated
(called double compression), but they can exist on their own.
Because the symptoms of Lacertus syndrome are often confused with those of CTS, its
diagnosis is often missed or made late. Unfortunately, many doctors fail to look for a secondary
cause or have inadequate training in detecting the disease. These diagnostic errors are a very
common cause of carpal tunnel surgery failure.
All patients with hand numbness in the area corresponding to the median nerve (middle, index, thumb)
should be examined not only for carpal tunnel syndrome, but also for compression of this nerve in
the elbow, under the lacertus fibrosus. The scratch collapse test is a very little known physical
examination manoeuvre, but very useful for the diagnosis of nerve compression, such as CTS or
Lacertus syndrome.
Until recently, surgical treatment of Lacertus syndrome required general or regional
anaesthesia with a very long incision in the forearm. The results were random due to the
aggressiveness of the surgical approach and its complications. Its treatment is now much less
invasive, thanks to advances in surgical and anaesthesia techniques. The procedure is performed
under local anaesthesia (WALANT, or Wide Awake Local Anesthesia No Tourniquet) on a fully awake
patient, which confirms the immediate return of strength and verifies the decompression result.
The surgery requires an incision of two or three centimetres in the fold of the
elbow. Return to office work is possible 24 to 48 hours later, while physical work is possible
after ten to fourteen days.