Effect of carpal tunnel release on median nerve epineurial flux

It is believed that increased pressure that develops in the carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) leads to nerve compression and a gradual decrease in neurovascular blood flow. Animal experiments showed that early nerve release restores neurovascular flow; however, late decompression has no effect.1 This finding raises the questions of whether carpal tunnel release increases blood flow in the median nerve and whether nerve ischemia may be associated with carpal tunnel etiology. The objective of this study was to evaluate the immediate effects of tunnel release and determine its influence on median nerve flux.