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The Anatomical Site of Constriction of the Median Nerve in Patients with Severe Idiopathic Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

From the Division of Plastic Surgery, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Correspondence: M.M. Al-Qattan, Division of Plastic Surgery, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Tel.: +966 505 274 8853; fax: +966 14679 493.E-mail: moqattan{at}hotmail.com

During open carpal tunnel release in patients with severe idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome, an area of constriction in the substance of the median nerve is frequently noted. In a prospective study of 30 patients, the central point of the constricted part of the nerve was determined intraoperatively and found to be, on average, 2.5 (range 2.2–2.8) cm from the distal wrist crease. This point always corresponded to the location of the hook of the hamate bone. These intraoperative findings were compared with the "narrowest" point of the carpal canal as determined by anatomical and radiological studies in the literature.

Key Words: carpal tunnel • median nerve • anatomy

Journal of Hand Surgery (British and European Volume), Vol. 31, No. 6, 608-610 (2006)
DOI: 10.1016/J.JHSB.2006.07.013


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