Introduction: Carpal tunnel syndrome is the most common entrapment peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities caused by compression or traction of the median nerve, which is passing through the carpal tunnel. Carpal tunnel syndrome is affecting approximately 3,8% of the general adult population. It may be due to increased pressure un the carpal tunnel, microcirculation disorders in the median nerve, compression of the nerve connective tissue surrounding the median nerve and hypertrophy of the synovial sheath of the flexor muscles tendons. The most common symptoms are pain, numbness, tingling and burning on the thumb, middle and ring finger. The treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome is divided into conservative and operative. Conservative treatment is possible with splint, steroid injections, oral corticosteroids, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, vitamin B6, diuretics, ultrasound and physiotherapy. The choice of treatment is based on the severity of the symptoms. Purpose: The purpose of this diploma work was to compare the effects of operative and conservative treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome with a systematic literature review. Methods: In this diploma work we used a descriptive method. Literature was searched in the online databases PubMed and Cochrane Library and by searching the references of published literature reviews. We included studies published after 2002. We selected eight articles in English which compared operative and conservative treatment in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome. Results: Various assessment scales and measurement tools were used to assess the effectiveness of the treatment. The results of the analysed studies indicate a greater efficiency of the operation after six and twelve months in the severity of symptoms, functional status and electro-physiological measurements. Discussion and conclusion: Both forms of treatment bring benefits in the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome. Conservative treatment has been shown to be more effective in the short term, while operative treatment has been more effective in the long term, both clinically and electro-physiologically. Additional studies are needed to examine the long-term effects of treatment.
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