The purpose of this study was to evaluate the long term functional and symptomatic outcome following open carpal tunnel release from 101 patients.

     One hundred and one consecutive patients underwent open procedure between 2000 and 2010, female 93, male 8, ages average 48.3 y.o., min 24 max 76.

      Range follow-up 1.5 years. Inclusion criteria: painful nocturnal paresthesias, distal finger numbness, gripping weakness, no previous surgery. NCV concordant.

     Among patients with CTS 61 on the right, 28 on the left and 10 bilateral. Symptoms: painful nocturnal paresthesia on the hand 101, digit numbness 63, cervical pain 6, decreased gripping power 54, tingling 5. Clinical characteristics: Phalen 92, Tinel 54, Durkan 92, hypesthesia 63, gripping weakness 54: Electrophysiological investigation:on the right side average sensory latency 4.6ms, min 2.7, max 9.7ms; on the left average 4.1ms, min 2.9ms, max 6.6ms. Painful nocturnal paresthesia was the key symptom (p=.017); Phalen and Durkan were more frequent found than Tinel (p=.016) and average sensory latencies were greater on the right side; wrists operated 111. Three patients were reoperated. excellent results 94 patients, painful scar 4, persistent symptoms 3, neural lesion 0.

     This is a retrospective study.

     We present a retrospective analysis from 101 consecutive patients who underwent open carpal tunnel release, excellent symptom relief and functional improvement were achieved in 97% of cases, no major complications resulted.

     We conclude that open technique is a safe method and still should be considered as the first choice for the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome.