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.