ROBLES, Diogo Santos et al. Tratamento do Síndrome do Túnel Cárpico: Anestesia Geral versus Local?. []. , 23, 3, pp.217-224. ISSN 1646-2122.

Aim: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common compressive neuropathy of the upper limb, and surgical treatment is reserved for cases not responding to conservative treatment. The aim of this study was to compare the surgical outcomes and costs associated with each anaesthetic technique in patients undergoing CTS nerve decompression under general versus local anaesthesia. Material and methods: A group of 60 patients was randomized with regard to the type of anaesthesia to be performed: local versus general. Both groups were postoperatively evaluated in regard to pain, through the application of the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), muscle strength (muscle strength scale of the Medical Research Council), functional capacity (Quickdash questionnaire), incidence and type of complications and degree of satisfaction with surgical outcome of. Additionally, a comparison of hospital costs was made. Results: There were no statistically significant differences between groups (p> 0.05) in pain (mean VAS 2.8 vs. 2.7), muscle strength (4.2 vs. 4) and functional capacity (Quickdash: 41.28 vs. 42.5) measurements. In regard to cost assessment, there were statistically significant differences between the two groups (p <0.01), with costs 56% higher in the general anaesthesia group. Conclusion: In this study, the CTS surgical treatment results were similar, regardless of the type of anaesthesia used. However, because of the higher treatment cost under general anaesthesia, the authors recommend that the pathology be treated on an outpatient unit with local anaesthesia

: Carpal tunnel syndrome; surgical treatment; local anaesthesia; general anaesthesia; treatment cost.

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