Volume X Issue X (2023) 1 https://doi.org/10.36922/gtm.1019
ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLE
Surgical outcome of open carpal tunnel release:
A 2-year case series study at Zliten Teaching
Hospital, Libya
Mohamed Gwila
1,2
*, Mostafa Ebshina
2
, Syeda Humayra
3
, and
Moniruddin Chowdhury
3,4
1
Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Faculty of Medicine, Al Asmarya Islamic University,
Zliten, Libya
2
Department of Orthopaedics, Zliten Teaching Hospital, Zliten, Libya
3
Department of Public Health, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Daffodil International University,
Daffodil Smart City, Birulia, Dhaka, Bangladesh
4
Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, AIMST University, Bedong, Kedah, Malaysia
Global Translational Medicine
Abstract
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most commonly diagnosed peripheral
neuropathy, with a prevalence of 1 – 16% within the general population. If left
untreated, it can lead to permanent dysfunctionality and disability. This study
aimed to determine the outcomes and complications associated with open
carpal tunnel release surgery (OCTR), compare the presentation of CTS symptoms
before and after the operation, and investigate the factors contributing to post-
operative complications. To achieve these objectives, a case series design was
employed, and the study was conducted at the Department of Orthopedics
and Traumatology in Zliten Teaching Hospital, Libya, from January 2016 to
December 2018. A total of 256 patients who had opted to undergo OCTR of the
transverse carpal ligament during the preoperative stage were enrolled and
prospectively followed up for 2 years. The post-operative follow-up analysis
revealed a statistically significant reduction in symptoms such as dull aching
discomfort in the hand and forearm, as well as paresthesia and numbness when
compared to the pre-operative period (10.2% vs. 90.5%; P < 0.0001). However,
there were no significant differences in clumsiness (18.8% vs. 25.8%; P = 0.256)
or thenar muscle atrophy (1.6% vs. 5.0%; P = 0.194). The majority of the patients
(90.6%) expressed high levels of satisfaction with the procedure, reporting no
recurrence of symptoms. In contrast, only 9.4% of patients experienced post-
operative complications. The study findings revealed no significant correlation
between post-operative complications and body mass index (P = 0.194).
Nonetheless, a statistically significant association was observed between the
severity of nerve conduction and post-operative complications ( P = 0.011).
In summary, the open release of the transverse carpal ligament resulted in
positive surgical outcomes.
Keywords: Carpal tunnel syndrome; Libya; Open release; Outcomes; Surgery
*Corresponding author:
Mohamed Gwila
(ghwila001@gmail.com)
Citation: Gwila M, Ebshina M,
Humayra S, et al., 2023, Surgical
outcome of open carpal tunnel
release: A 2-year case series study
at Zliten Teaching Hospital, Libya.
Global Transl Med.
https://doi.org/10.36922/gtm.1019
Received: May 30, 2023
Accepted: October 7, 2023
Published Online: November 6,
2023
Copyright: © 2023 Author(s).
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