Modified Camitz versus BRAND Procedures for the Treatment of Severe Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A Comparative Trial Study

Background: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is characterized by complications such as pain, paresthesia, and numbness in the fingers. There are some surgical therapies for the management of severe carpal tunnel, but differences exist between the treatments available for creating the opposition. The current study was conducted to compare the effect of modified Camitz and BRAND techniques on thumb opposition in patients with severe CTS. Methods: A total of 40 patients with severe CTS who were candidates for opponensplasty were enrolled in this clinical trial study at Alzahra and Kashani hospitals, Isfahan, Iran, from 2014 to 2018. The patients were divided into two groups of modified Camitz and BRAND. Quick DASH-9 and Kapandji scores as well as pulp and side pinch and pronation angle were assessed before and after the surgeries. Results: Quick DASH-9 score, Kapandji score, pulp and side pinch and pronation angle significantly improved postoperatively (P=0.0XXX, P=0.0XXX, P=0.0XXX, P=0.0XXX, and P=0.0XXX, respectively). But, no significant differences were seen in the mentioned variables between both groups pre and post-operative (P>0.05, for all the studied variables). No postsurgical complications were seen in any of the groups. Conclusion: The findings of the present study demonstrated that, both Modified Camitz and BRAND techniques are effective and safe techniques, yielding high improvements, but no serious complications. Both techniques can be considered for treatment of patients with severe CTS.