Abstract
Objective The present study aimed to determine the frequency of trigger finger (TF) onset after
surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) using an open (OT) or an endoscopic technique
(ET). As a secondary endpoint, the present study also compared paresthesia remission
and residual pain rates in patients submitted to both techniques.
Methods Trigger finger onset and remission rates of paresthesia and pain at the median nerve
territory was verified prospectively in a series of adult patients submitted to an
OT procedure (n = 34). These findings were compared with a retrospective cohort submitted to ET (n = 33) by the same surgical team. Patients were evaluated with a structured questionnaire
in a return visit at least 6 months after surgery.
Results Sixty-seven patients were evaluated. There was no difference regarding trigger finger
onset (OT, 26.5% versus ET, 27.3%; p = 0.94) and pain (OT, 76.5% versus ET, 84.8%; p = 0.38). Patients submitted to OT had fewer paresthesia complaints compared with
those operated using ET (OT, 5.9% versus ET, 24.2%; p = 0.03).
Conclusions In our series, the surgical technique did not influence trigger finger onset and
residual pain rates. Patients submitted to OT had less complaints of residual postoperative
paresthesia.
Keywords
carpal tunnel syndrome - paresthesia - comparative study - endoscopy - trigger finger
disorder
