To compare the clinical efficacy and complications of small transverse and longitudinal incision of the wrist, and the small longitudinal incision of the palm in the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS).

From June 2015 to June 2018, 150 patients with CTS were diagnosed and treated. There were 50 cases of wrist small transverse incision, 50 cases of wrist small longitudinal incision and 50 cases of longitudinal incision at the root of the palm for carpal tunnel release. The visual analogue scale (VAS), BCTQ score, Kelly's evaluation of clinical efficacy, postoperative complications, neuro-electrophysiological parameters, two-point discrimination and basic operation conditions were compared in three groups at 1, 3 and 6 months after operation.

There was no significant difference in VAS, BCTQ score and Kelly's evaluation of clinical efficacy and excellent rate between the three groups (P>0.05); the incidence of postoperative scar pain and overall complications in the wrist longitudinal incision group was significantly higher than that in the wrist transverse incision group and the longitudinal incision at the root of the palm (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in incision length, hospitalization cost, operation time, hospitalization time, recovery working time, two-point discrimination and various neuro-electrophysiological parameters among the three groups (P>0.05).

The results of three kinds of small incision carpal tunnel release surgery are similar in the treatment of CTS, but the complications of longitudinal incision at the root of the palm and wrist small transverse incision for carpal tunnel release surgery are less.

Carpal tunnel syndrome; Treatment outcome; Small incision; Release