Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Conditions
Brief summary
The use of electrocautery for surgical skin incision in general surgery is known to decrease post-operative pain. This study compares the use of scalpel and electrocautery for surgical skin incision in open carpal tunnel release (OCTR).
Detailed description
The use of electrocautery for surgical skin incision in general surgery is known to decrease post-operative pain. This study compares the use of scalpel and electrocautery for surgical skin incision in open carpal tunnel release (OCTR).
Interventions
PROCEDUREElectrocautery
Skin incision performed by electrocautery
PROCEDUREScalpel
Skin incision performed by scalpel
Sponsors
Turku University Hospital
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Subject)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 60 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Age 18 - 60 years * Scheduled to undergo open carpal tunnel release (OCTR) by a study group member * Gives informed consent * diagnosis of chronic carpal tunnel syndrome
Exclusion criteria
* -Any current underlying systemic illness or condition that may affect wound healing (e.g. diabetes or chronic vascular disease) * History of severe systemic or focal illness (e.g. previous myocardial infarction, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) * Chronic skin condition in the affected upper limb (e.g. psoriasis) * Pregnancy * Inability to comprehend the consent form (in Finnish) or inability to give consent * Previous surgery or scar in the palmar aspect of the affected wrist * Recurrent carpal tunnel syndrome * Previous significant trauma of the affected upper extremity (including distal radius fracture) or suspicion of acute onset carpal tunnel syndrome
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Pain on visual analogue scale | First postoperative day |
Outcome results
None listed