What is Endoscopic Surgery?
Endoscopic surgery is also known as minimally invasive surgery or keyhole surgery. A surgery of this type generally refers to operations in which special instruments are used to ensure that a surgery is less traumatic than traditional surgery. The special instruments allow surgeons to use smaller incisions resulting in faster recovery and fewer side effects comparatively.
Endoscopic surgeries generally employ an endoscope thus the name endoscopic surgery. The endoscope is a long flexible tube with a camera and light attachment. This tube is inserted into the body and the image from the camera is watched by the surgeon. The surgeon then according to the requirement makes other small incisions to insert the other tools necessary for the operation.
Endoscopic Carpal Tunnel Surgery
In an Endoscopic Carpal tunnel surgery an endoscope is put in through a small opening made in the wrist. This method is known as a single-portal technique.
Another technique that may be employed is a two-portal technique in which two incisions are made, one at the wrist and the other at the palm. By inserting the endoscope the surgeon is able to view the components of the wrist without making a large incision.
When the area of work is identified then the cutting tools are employed. The cutting tools used in endoscopic surgery are minuscule. This allows the insertion of tools through the incisions made in the wrist or the wrist and the palm. Once the surgery is complete the small incisions made are closed with stitches. After having Carpal tunnel endoscopic surgery patients are mostly not required to stay under observation. In most cases patients are released on the same day.
Recovery time in a Carpal tunnel endoscopic surgery is short compared to traditional open surgeries. The pain and numbness which was experienced before the surgery in some cases finishes completely after the surgery. Or it could take several months for the pain and numbness to completely diminish.
After how long work can be resumed is something patients should talk about with their doctor in great detail. If the surgery was performed on the non-dominant hand and one’s job does not involve repetitive or other high risk activities then work could be resumed in a day or two.
However if the patient had surgery on the main hand and their job involves repetitive work, up to four weeks or more would be advised for recovery.