Intraoperative assessment of median nerve blood flow during carpal tunnel

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release with laser Doppler flowmetry. Seiler JG 3d. Milek MA. Carpenter GK. Swiontkowski MF. Journal of Hand Surgery - St Louis. [JC:ia9] 14(6):986-91, 1989 Nov. Eleven consecutive median nerves in patients with clinical carpal tunnel syndrome were examined prospectively with laser Doppler flowmetry. All procedures were done without a tourniquet with the patient under local or general anesthesia. Multiple measurements of median nerve blood flow were obtained during carpal tunnel release. Flow characteristics proximal to the transverse carpal ligament did not change after release of the ligament. Beneath the transverse carpal ligament, initial flow was random in 10 of 11 nerves. Within 1 minute after release of the transverse carpal ligament, flow became pulsatile and synchronized with the patient's pulse in nine nerves. Although preliminary, these data suggest that in discussed and has permitted, importantly, the restoration of the anatomic retinaculum for the flexor tendon system. This can be restored in carpal tunnel surgery and reconstructed with basic ligament material in recurrent carpal tunnel surgery.