Recovery after carpal tunnel syndrome operation: the influence of the opposite hand, if operated on in the same session

Abstract

In a clinical, retrospectively randomised study, we compared the results of the operation for a carpal tunnel syndrome when one side only or both sides were simultaneously assessed in one session. Of the 125 patients examined, 47.2% had both hands operated on in one session, 52.8% had only one hand operated on in one session or both hands in two sessions. We found the bilateral simultaneous operation to be associated with better results concerning earlier return to work, earlier relief of symptoms and better patient satisfaction than the operation on one side only. These are explained by the necessity of using both hands for daily activities and thus a guaranteed functional follow-up treatment after the bilateral operation. In conclusion, we propose operating on both hands simultaneously whenever possible, even if the opposite hand presents with only a slight CTS, which would otherwise not be considered for operation yet.

Return to Functional Hand Use and Work Following Open Carpal Tunnel Surgery

“…Huracek et al (2001) and Fehringer et al (2002) have shown favourable results of simultaneous bilateral procedures and our findings are similar. There are some inherent problems with staged bilateral procedures.…”

Does the Severity of Bilateral Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Influence the Timing of Staged Bilateral Release?

“…However, there are now multiple reports in the literature advocating bilateral simultaneous CTR for the treatment of bilateral CTS. [17][18][19][20][21][22] Advantages and safety of bilateral simultaneous CTR have been uniformly demonstrated in studies, using both open 18 -21 and endoscopic 17,22 techniques. The simultaneous approach has a high patient satisfaction rate, 18,19,21,22 with 75% to 100% of the patients stating that they would have the bilateral surgery again.…”

“…The simultaneous approach has a high patient satisfaction rate, 18,19,21,22 with 75% to 100% of the patients stating that they would have the bilateral surgery again. 18,20,21 One study demonstrated higher patient satisfaction in bilateral CTR patients compared with unilateral CTR patients. 20 It has also been demonstrated that there is earlier return to work, 17,20 -22 earlier relief of symptoms, 20 lower overall costs, 21 fewer physician visits, 17 and no increase in the complication rate, 17,20 -22 when compared with the traditional staged approach.…”

Staged versus Simultaneous Bilateral Endoscopic Carpal Tunnel Release: An Outcome Study

“…Bilateral simultaneous surgery may be discouraged because of concerns about postoperative management, activities of daily living, and complications. 10 However, some patients request bilateral simultaneous surgery to minimize total disability time. 9 Bilateral simultaneous surgery would potentially decrease the cost to the patients and their employers in terms of wages and productivity lost.…”