Comparison of Preoperative and Postoperative Clinical and Electrophysiological Results of Patients with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Presenting a Positive Scratch Collapse Test.

Aim: To examine the correlation between clinical outcomes and electrophysiological findings following open carpal tunnel release (CTR) surgery in patients with a positive scratch collapse (SC) test, and to the postoperative course of the SC test.

Material and methods: The study included 29 patients who had a positive SC test and a confirmed diagnosis based on nerve conduction study (NCS) findings. The findings of Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire (BCTQ), visual analog scale (VAS), NCS, and SC test were assessed preoperatively and postoperatively at the 2nd and 8th weeks. The correlations between NCS findings and BCTQ and VAS scores were analyzed.

Results: Significant postoperative improvements were observed in BCTQ and VAS scores at the 2nd and 8th weeks. In the 8th week, NCS findings also showed significant improvement; however, no correlation was found between NCS findings and functional scores. The SC test became negative in 89.6% (n=26) of patients postoperatively.

Conclusion: In the early period following open CTR surgery, there is no correlation between improvements in NCS findings and functional scores. However, in 90% of patients with a positive preoperative SC test, the test became negative early after the open CTR surgery. Therefore, the SC test can be used to evaluate postoperative treatment results because it is easily applicable, repeatable, and cost-effective compared with NCS.