of the procedure (slightly faster recovery) did not outweigh the risk of injury to the median nerve. Contrary to this one or any one opinion of any individual surgeon it has been shown that while there is a learning curve for a hand surgeon who begins to use an endoscopic technique to release the transverse carpal ligament no significant safety issues or morbidity associated with the endoscopic method exist. The use of endoscopic carpal tunnel release has continued to spread around the world and clinical and nerve electrophysiological states are significantly improved at the long-term follow-up after endoscopic carpal tunnel release. A meta-analysis supports the conclusion that endoscopic carpal tunnel release is favored over the open carpal tunnel release in terms of a reduction in scar tenderness and increase in grip and pinch strength at a 12-week follow-up A study comparing the open method and endoscopic method resulted in a longer interval until the patient could return to work (median, twenty-eight days, compared with fourteen days for the open-release and endoscopic-release groups). A recent study regarding outcome of Endoscopic carpal tunnel release has shown that clinical and nerve electrophysiological states are significantly improved at the long-term follow-up after endoscopic carpal tunnel release. Further evidence supports that carpal tunnel release done endoscopically offers benefits in the early post operative period beyond that of open carpal tunnel syndrome. This came in the form of level 1 evidence as a meta-analysis that supports the conclusion that endoscopic carpal tunnel release is favored over the open carpal tunnel release in terms of a reduction in scar tenderness and increase in grip and pinch strength at a 12-week follow-up References Further reading Endoscopy Surgical procedures and techniques Wrist