Procedure:
Carpal tunnel decompression through a cut (7 – 10
cm) along the underside of the wrist. The nerve is
found and will be freed by removing the tissue from
it. The wound will be closed with either dissolvable or
non-dissolvable stitches.
Risks of this procedure:
(a) The numbness and tingling in the fingers and
thumb may persist.
(b) Damage to the median nerve. This may require
re-operation and nerve repair.
(c) Damage to the tendons, which may require
surgical repair of the tendons.
(d) The operation occasionally does not work and
needs to be done again.
(e) Pain at the wrist when making a fist or leaning
on the wrist.
(f) Scar tenderness – may be permanent or
temporary.
(g) Weakness of the muscles at the base of thumb,
which does not go away.
(h) Abnormal pain response to surgery with
worsening of pain and disability.
(i) The surgical cut may cause changes to the
sensation and colour of the limb.
(j) In some people, healing of the wound may be
abnormal and the wound can be thickened and
red and the scar may be painful.
(k) Increased risk in obese people of wound
infection, chest infection, heart and lung
complications and thrombosis.
(l) Increased risk in smokers of wound and chest
infections, heart and lung complications and
thrombosis.