Abstract:

Objectives Carpal tunnel release (CTR), the golden standard treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), is beneficial for the majority of patients, but up to 25% may have a less satisfactory outcome and require additional surgery. The aim of this study was to compare outcome after reoperation for CTS with outcome after primary CTR. Methods In a retrospective study, September 2009 to February 2011, data were collected from patients' medical journals, preoperative health declarations and QuickDASH questionnaires, pre- and one-year postoperatively. 20 patients re-operated due to recurrent or persistent CTS were identified and compared to 493 patients who had undergone primary nerve decompression. Results Preoperatively, the re-operated patients had a higher median nerve sensory conduction velocity at wrist level (38 [33-45] vs. 31 [22–38] m/s; p<0.05) than those who underwent primary CTR. However, there was no difference in QuickDASH score. With a nonsignificant difference in symptomatic improvement, postoperative QuickDASH score was found higher for the re-operated patients compared to those who underwent primary CTR (38 [22-56] vs. 18 [5–45]; p<0.05). No differences in QuickDASH score could be demonstrated between patients with recurrent or persistent CTS. Conclusion Patients re-operated for recurrent or persistent CTS experience more pronounced postoperative symptoms than patients operated for primary CTS.

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