Background: This study is to compare the efficacy of short-axis hydrodissection with long-axis hydrodissection for patients with mild-to-moderate carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Methods: Forty-seven patients with mild-to-moderate CTS were enrolled in a prospective, randomized, single-blinded, controlled trial (6 months follow-up). With ultrasound guidance, patients in both groups (short-axis or long-axis groups) were injected with normal saline (5 mL per session). Assessments were performed before and 2 weeks after the injection, as well as at 1, 3, and 6 months post-intervention. The primary outcome measure was the Boston Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Questionnaire (BCTQ) score and secondary outcomes included the cross-sectional area of the median nerve and electrophysiological studies. Results: Forty-four patients (21 wrists in the short-axis group and 23 wrists in the long-axis group) completed the study. Compared with the baseline, both groups showed improved BCTQ and cross-sectional area at all follow-up assessments (p<0.05). The short-axis group was not more effective except significant improvements in BCTQ-severity and BCTQ-function 1 month post-injection compared to the long-axis group (p = 0.031 and p = 0.023, respectively). Conclusions: Both short- and long-axis hydrodissection were effective for patients with mild-to-moderate CTS and the short-axis approach was not more effective than long-axis injection. Further studies with larger sample sizes, multiple injections, and larger injection volume are encouraged in the future.

中文翻译：

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腕管综合征的短轴和长轴神经水分离术的比较：一项前瞻性随机、单盲试验。

背景：本研究旨在比较短轴水分离与长轴水分离对轻中度腕管综合征（CTS）患者的疗效。方法：47 名轻度至中度 CTS 患者参加了一项前瞻性、随机、单盲、对照试验（随访 6 个月）。在超声引导下，两组（短轴组或长轴组）患者均注射生理盐水（每次 5 mL）。在注射前和注射后 2 周以及干预后 1、3 和 6 个月进行评估。主要结果测量是波士顿腕管综合征问卷 (BCTQ) 评分，次要结果包括正中神经和电生理研究的横截面积。结果：44 名患者（短轴组 21 只手腕，长轴组 23 只手腕）完成了研究。与基线相比，两组在所有后续评估中都显示出改善的 BCTQ 和横截面积 (p<0.05)。与长轴组相比，除了注射后 1 个月 BCTQ 严重性和 BCTQ 功能显着改善外，短轴组并没有更有效（分别为 p = 0.031 和 p = 0.023）。结论：短轴和长轴水分离对轻至中度 CTS 患者均有效，且短轴入路并不比长轴注射更有效。未来鼓励进行更大样本量、多次进样和更大进样量的进一步研究。在所有后续评估中，两组的 BCTQ 和横截面积均有所改善（p<0.05）。与长轴组相比，除了注射后 1 个月 BCTQ 严重性和 BCTQ 功能显着改善外，短轴组并没有更有效（分别为 p = 0.031 和 p = 0.023）。结论：短轴和长轴水分离对轻至中度 CTS 患者均有效，且短轴入路并不比长轴注射更有效。未来鼓励进行更大样本量、多次进样和更大进样量的进一步研究。在所有后续评估中，两组的 BCTQ 和横截面积均有所改善（p<0.05）。与长轴组相比，除了注射后 1 个月 BCTQ 严重性和 BCTQ 功能显着改善外，短轴组并没有更有效（分别为 p = 0.031 和 p = 0.023）。结论：短轴和长轴水分离对轻至中度 CTS 患者均有效，且短轴入路并不比长轴注射更有效。未来鼓励进行更大样本量、多次进样和更大进样量的进一步研究。与长轴组相比，除了注射后 1 个月 BCTQ 严重性和 BCTQ 功能显着改善外，短轴组并没有更有效（分别为 p = 0.031 和 p = 0.023）。结论：短轴和长轴水分离对轻至中度 CTS 患者均有效，且短轴入路并不比长轴注射更有效。未来鼓励进行更大样本量、多次进样和更大进样量的进一步研究。与长轴组相比，除了注射后 1 个月 BCTQ 严重性和 BCTQ 功能显着改善外，短轴组并没有更有效（分别为 p = 0.031 和 p = 0.023）。结论：短轴和长轴水分离对轻至中度 CTS 患者均有效，且短轴入路并不比长轴注射更有效。未来鼓励进行更大样本量、多次进样和更大进样量的进一步研究。