Carpal Tunnel Release

Summary:

We have performed over 1500 Carpal Tunnel procedures by keyhole surgery.
This surgery is minimally invasive.
Price: up to $500 with adequate Private Health Insurance (self-pay options are available)

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

LapSurgery Australia has a minimally invasive solution to the treatment of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and have performed over 1500 procedures by this, keyhole method. Laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery makes returning to normal actitivties faster and less painful making it the better option than having the open method which delays return to work and is more painful.

Carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by compression of the median nerve at the wrist. The median nerve supplies the sensation over most of the hand, with the exception of a small area on the little finger side.

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Minimally invasive carpal tunnel release surgery

The open surgery for Carpal Tunnel syndrome involves quite a long incision on the palm of the hand, usually needing 6 – 8 stitches. It can take many weeks for recovery.

At LapSurgery we have been performing the minimally invasive (keyhole) technique for more than 15 years and have performed more than 1,500 of these procedures.

In the keyhole approach a small incision is made on the wrist, less than 1cm long. A further 3mm incision is made on the palm of the hand. The incisions are so small that in most cases a stitch is not required. A telescope is inserted between the incisions and the ligament squashing the nerve is divided fully under vision. In fact the vision we get is superior to naked eye vision as it is magnified in high definition on a computer monitor.

The procedure is done as a day case and takes about half an hour. It can be performed under full general anaesthetic or with just the arm numb and a mild sedation.

A bandage will be applied to the hand, but the hand can and should be used as soon after the operation as possible. Slings and plasters are not used! Bandages are removed after a few days and the hand can be used normally thereafter. There may be some swelling and tenderness for several weeks afterwards, but in most cases you can go about all but the very heaviest use of your hands with a week or two.

Relief of the nasty, sometimes painful tingling is immediate. However numbness in the tips of the fingers can take longer to resolve.

With Private Health Insurance

There is no waiting list. If you wish, your operation can usually be performed within a week or two or planned at a time of your choosing. For most patients with full private health insurance there will be some extra costs not covered by Medicare or your health fund. The cover provided by your health fund will vary according to which fund and which level of cover you have. In some cases you may have to pay an “excess”. It is your responsibility to check with your health fund prior to surgery. Full financial details will be provided to you prior to surgery unless the surgery is done as an emergency. Occasionally other tests, procedures or specialist consultations may be necessary and some other costs incurred.

Without Private Health Insurance

Public hospital waiting lists may be very long. There is no choice of surgeon in the Public Hospital and your LapSurgery Australia surgeon will not be involved in your operation.

If you do not have private health insurance, you can expect a higher out of pocket cost depending on the hospital your surgery is performed at. Following your consultation with our surgeon our staff will be able to give you an informed financial consent prior to going ahead with surgery.

Hospitals used by LapSurgery Australia for this surgery are:

Mulgrave Private Hospital – Mulgrave Knox
Private Hospital – Wantirna
Peninsula Private Hospital – Frankston
St John of God Berwick Hospital – Berwick

Risks of surgery include but are not limited to:

Damage to the nerve

This is exceptionally rare in experienced hands such as ours. On very rare occasions one of the small branches of the nerve to one or other side of one finger can be damaged giving numbness in this area. Changes to the technique introduced many years ago have virtually eliminated this possibility.

Recurrence

About 1% of patients experience recurrent symptoms or don’t get relief from the initial operation. There can be many reasons for this and any such recurrence or failure will be investigated fully. Where a repeat operation is necessary it cannot be done with keyhole surgery and a larger incision is needed.

Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy

This is a rare condition where continuous burning pain affects the hand. It usually resolves with time and physiotherapy.

Infection

Infection is exceptionally rare.

**Delay in treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome may cause permanent damage to the median nerve

Benefits of the keyhole method

Minimally invasive keyhole technique
Quicker recovery and less discomfort
Day case surgery
Rapid relief of nasty night time numbness and pain
No slings or plasters
Tiny incisions, usually no stitches
Both hands can be done at the same time if necessary

The team at LapSurgery Australia are recognised for their exceptional and major contribution to the Government sponsored Bariatric Safety Registry (BSR). The BSR tracks surgical complications and provides an unbiased safety record for weight loss surgery.

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Call us for more information

(03) 9760 2777 Request an appointment