Intraoperative Steroid Irrigation in Carpal Tunnel

Abstract

Background: Carpal tunnel syndrome
(CTS) is the most common neuropathy of the
upper limb due to compression of the median
nerve at the wrist.
Objectives: to test the benefit of steroid
irrigation of the wound to alleviate the post
operative pain.
Methods: Forty patients had carpal tunnel
release were divided into two groups with and
without steroid irrigation.
Results: Forty patients 38 female and 2 male
with forty CTS had open surgical release were
studied for postoperative pain at the wrist area.
Group 1 (patients treated with surgery alone)
and group 2 (patients treated with surgery and
steroid).In group1, 11 patients (55%) had
persistent agonizing pain at the ulnar side of
the wrist not responding to analgesic. In
group2 none of the patients experienced such
type of pain.
Conclusion: Steroid irrigation has beneficial
effect on post operative pain with no added
drawbacks.