Cost-Effectiveness of Sonography-Guided Surgery.

Abstract

Percutaneous carpal tunnel release (CTR) is a new surgical technique allowing to cut the transverse carpal ligament under sonography, without skin incision. The technique is safe, offers good functional results and early return to daily activities. This study investigates if percutaneous CTR is also cost-effective. Percutaneous CTR presents many advantages and may be safer than open and endoscopic CTR. This study could not demonstrate that it allows also cheaper surgery, at least as compared to open CTR. However, if it allows earlier return to work, percutaneous CTR could offer a major economic advantage over other techniques, particularly open surgery.