Although carpal tunnel surgery is a commonly performed operation, the advent of the endoscopic approach has greatly reduced the severity and number of complications, according to a 2006 study in the "British Medical Journal." The surgery is technically called endoscopic carpal tunnel release surgery since it necessitates cutting the transverse carpal ligament inside the carpal tunnel. When the ligament is cut, the carpal tunnel opens wider, relieving pressure on the median nerve running through it. Major and minor complications associated with endoscopic carpal tunnel surgery can still occur, as can general complications associated with any surgery.
Major Complications
The primary major complications of endoscopic carpal tunnel release surgery are accidental median nerve and local blood vessel injury; partial or total finger and hand numbness; protracted hand and finger stiffness; and continued pain and other symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome because the procedure was ineffective for indeterminate reasons.
Major complications will depend on a host of factors. The patient's health is always a prime factor, and patients with severe or chronic conditions which compromise their health are at highest risk for developing complications. Another factor is the competence of the particular hand surgeon. Endoscopic carpal tunnel release surgery is a highly specialized type of surgery and requires a steep learning curve on the part of the surgeon. Thus, the more skilled the surgeon the less the likelihood a mishap will occur. Finally, the unique anatomy of the individual patient cannot be predicted. This is termed anatomical variation, and if nerves and blood vessels are not where they should be compared to the general population then there is a greater chance of damaging them.
Minor Complications
Minor complications of endoscopic carpal tunnel release surgery include temporary hand and finger stiffness, temporary tenderness and pain at the site of surgery, minor infection, a small amount of bleeding at the site of surgery, local swelling and painful or abnormal scar formation.
Minor complications of endoscopic carpal tunnel release surgery are more common than major ones. As with major complications, minor complications are due to the slight variability in surgical procedures, surgical competence, anatomical variability, and the general health of the patient. Unlike major complications, minor complications, can be resolved quickly and pose little danger to the patient or the patient's recovery time.
Other Complications
There are complications of endoscopic carpal tunnel release surgery which are more related to surgery in general than the particular surgical procedure. While they usually are complications independent of this procedure, they still pose a great threat to the patient and to healing time and effectiveness.
These complications include reaction to the anesthesia, allergic reaction to medications used such as anesthetics, antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs, severe infection at the site of surgery, allergic reaction to post-surgical medications, ointments and dressings, vomiting and nausea and loss of life due to any unchecked surgical complication.
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