Absorbable vs Non-absorbable Sutures in Adults Undergoing Carpal Tunnel Release

Absorbable sutures (Vicryl Rapide) or Non-absorbable (Nylon) for carpal tunnel skin closure. Each patient will receive both "treatments", one type of suture in each hand, with the first hand being randomised. Surgeries will be performed one at a time, rather than both on the same day (current standard practice). The surgeries will be administered by a consultant orthopedic surgeon for every case (not trainees). At the present moment we have two surgeons on board to participate in the trial. Both are highly experienced in carpal tunnel surgery. Surgery involves local anesthesia, carpal tunnel release, closure of the skin only (carpal tunnel not closed). Skin sutures are generally interrupted. Each surgeon is required to do the same technique (eg interrupted, mattress) for both suture materials. Most of this is already current standard practice and we do not feel the need to monitor the surgeon. The only part that will be monitored is if the same suture technique was used in each had, and this can easily be established on the 2 week follow-up when sutures are visually inspected by a clinical professional.