Purpose: The aim of this study is to evaluate the results of fasciocutaneous posterior interosseous artery island flaps in the treatment of recurrent or persistent carpal tunnel compression syndrome (CTS).
Patients and methods: From 1997 to 2006, 14 patients (8 women, 6 men, ages ranging from 26 to 77 years with a mean age of 55.7 years) have been operated for recurrent or persistent CTS, or for a neuropathic pain syndrome. All patients were treated with a posterior interosseous island flap following neurolysis of the scarred median nerve. The patients were evaluated pre- and postoperatively using a pain visual analogue scale and the DASH score. Sensibility, motor dysfunction, pain and success of the treatment were classified as good, better or bad.
Results: Mean follow-up of the patients was 23.8 months (1.7 to 93.5 months). The pain evaluation showed a statistically significant improvement (p < 0.005) decreasing from a mean value of 6.7 to 1.5. The DASH score was also statistically significantly improved postoperatively (p < 0.005). The best results were observed in patients without extensive preliminary median nerve damage. The duration of symptoms before re-operation did not influence the outcome. Seven patients demonstrated good, five improved and two patients maintained poor results. The two patients with poor results suffered from extremely scarred and injured median nerves following previous carpal tunnel surgery.
Conclusion: Protective coverage of the median nerve by use of a fasciocutaneous island flap after failure of carpal tunnel release provides a good gliding tissue cover and reduces the risk of adhesions between the nerve and the surrounding tissues after previous surgery. While this protection of the nerve can reduce painful symptoms it does not guarantee total pain relief in all patients. Pain relief and functional recovery strongly depend on the preexisting condition of the median nerve.