COMPARISON OF MINI-TRANSVERSE WRIST INCISION AND TRADITIONAL LONGITUDINAL INCISION IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING SURGICAL MANAGEMENT OF CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME

Abstract

Objective; To compare the clinical outcomes of mini-transverse wrist incision and traditional longitudinal incision in the surgical management of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS).

Methodology: This prospective, randomized controlled study included 70 patients diagnosed with CTS, who were randomly assigned into two groups: Group A (mini-transverse incision, n = 35) and Group B (traditional longitudinal incision, n = 35). The primary outcome measures were post-operative pain, assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and grip strength, measured using a dynamometer. Secondary outcomes included return-to-work time, complication rates (paresthesia and wound hyperesthesia), and duration of surgery. Data were collected at one and six months post-operatively.

Results: The mean age of patients in Group A was 44.46 ± 9.30 years, and in Group B, it was 44.77 ± 9.98 years. Surgery time was significantly shorter in Group A compared to Group B (p = 0.0001). Post-operative pain scores were significantly lower in Group A at both one month (p = 0.0001) and six months (p = 0.0001). Group A also had a significantly shorter return-to-work time (p = 0.0001). There were no significant differences in grip strength between the groups at six months. Although Group A had fewer complications (paresthesia and wound hyperesthesia), these differences were not statistically significant.

Conclusion: Mini-transverse wrist incision resulted in significantly shorter surgery times, lower post-operative pain scores, and faster return to work compared to the traditional longitudinal approach.