Endoscopic Release for Severe Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in Octogenarians

Purpose To investigate the clinical outcomes of endoscopic carpal tunnel release for severe carpal tunnel syndrome in octogenarians compared with a younger cohort. Methods Fifty-five hands in 48 patients were enrolled in this study. There were 27 hands in 24 octogenarians and 28 hands in 24 patients in a younger group with average ages of 83 and 60 years, respectively. Postoperative follow-ups were 8.5 and 7.2 months, respectively. Clinical evaluation included documentation of subjective symptoms and Semmes-Weinstein testing before surgery, 3 months after surgery, and at final follow-up. Symptom severity and function outcomes scores and compound muscle action potential of abductor pollicis brevis as an electrophysiological assessment were evaluated before surgery and at the final follow-up. Results Nocturnal pain and paresthesias were improved in all patients. The octogenarians had poorer recovery of Semmes-Weinstein testing score and better improvement of outcomes scores than the younger group. There was no difference of the results in postoperative electrophysiological improvement between the groups. Conclusions Endoscopic release for severe carpal tunnel syndrome relieved symptoms and improved activities of daily living in octogenarians. Type of study/level of evidence Therapeutic III.