CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME: WHICH SURGICAL METHOD SHOULD BE CHOSEN?
Published on: 8/15/2026
When diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome and indicated for surgery, many patients often wonder which option to choose.
In reality, each method has its own advantages and limitations. The choice will depend on the severity of median nerve compression, job requirements, financial conditions, and the patient's desired postoperative recovery. The following article will help you make a reference and decision.
Current surgical methods for carpal tunnel syndrome:
1. Traditional open surgery
Open surgery is a traditional method where the surgeon makes an incision about 3 - 5 cm long in the palm to directly visualize and transect the transverse carpal ligament.
The advantage of this method is that it is suitable for all cases, especially complex cases that require careful inspection. Treatment costs are usually lower. However, due to the larger incision, patients often experience more postoperative pain and a longer recovery time. The surgery can be performed under local anesthesia or brachial plexus block.
2. Endoscopic surgery
With endoscopic surgery (minimally invasive), the surgeon makes only one or two small incisions (about 1 cm) in the wrist or palm, then inserts an endoscope and instruments to cut the ligament.
Compared to traditional open surgery, this method causes less pain, smaller scars, high aesthetics, and faster grip strength recovery.
However, surgical costs are usually higher and it cannot be applied to certain anatomical abnormalities. Typically, this procedure is performed under a brachial plexus block.
3. Mini-open surgery combined with biological tissue glue
Mini-open carpal tunnel surgery combined with biological glue application is an advanced technique that helps minimize invasiveness. The surgeon uses a small incision of about 2 cm and replaces traditional sutures with a special biological glue layer, allowing the wound to heal naturally, eliminating the need for suture removal or dressing changes, reducing pain, and allowing light daily activities immediately after surgery. The method is performed under local anesthesia and patients can be discharged on the same day.
Image 1. Glue application after carpal tunnel surgery
The prominent advantages of this method include:
- No suture removal needed: The glue layer naturally peels off after 5 - 10 days once the wound has epithelialized.
- High aesthetics: Does not leave the "centipede" scar caused by traditional suturing.
- No complex dressing needed: The glue forms a natural waterproof biological membrane, allowing patients to easily clean their hands without fear of infection.
- Fast recovery: Causes less pain, foreign body sensation, or irritation compared to sutures.
Image 2. Carpal tunnel surgery scar after 2 weeks
Which method should patients with carpal tunnel syndrome choose?
Overall, it can be seen that endoscopic surgery and mini-open surgery combined with biological glue are two methods with many advantages and high aesthetics.
However, the majority of people suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome are those who must constantly move their wrists or use repetitive force, such as office workers (typing), tailors, hairdressers, or manual laborers requiring significant hand strength... generally working-class people. More than anyone else, they desire a quick recovery to return to work promptly and, moreover, to minimize costs to the maximum extent. Endoscopic surgery can be quite costly due to the endoscopic instrument sets and the required hospital stay.
Therefore, in many cases, mini-open surgery combined with biological glue is a suitable choice due to its convenience (taking only a few hours), aesthetics, and reasonable cost. Meanwhile, endoscopic carpal tunnel surgery may be more suitable for patients with better financial conditions or direct billing health insurance coverage.
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