Endoscopic versus open carpal tunnel release for idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Table 3 Summary estimates of outcome variables in the current study

Outcomes	Number of studies	Heterogeneity I ^2a (%)	Pooled relative risk ^b	Mean difference	95% confidence interval
Operative time	5	97	NA	−1.89	[−5.84, 2.06]
Patient’s satisfaction	4	21	1.0	NA	[0.93, 1.08]
Grip strength	2	0	NA	2.39	[−0.95, 5.73]
Pinch strength	2	87	NA	−0.53	[−3.16, 2.11]
Return to work	2	0	NA	−3.52	[−8.15, 1.10]
Complication	13	0	1.34	NA	[0.74, 2.43]
Two-portal technique	7	23	1.74	NA	[0.71, 4.23]
One-portal technique	6	0	1.06	NA	[0.47, 2.40]
Nerve injury	8	0	2.38	NA	[0.98, 5.77]

ECTR endoscopic carpal tunnel release, OCTR open carpal tunnel release, NA not applicable.
^aHeterogeneity test: I ² > 50%, random-effect analysis model; I ² < 50%, fixed-effect analysis model.
^bIf odds ratio/mean difference >1, favors ECTR; if odds ratio/mean difference <1, favors OCTR.

ISSN: 1749-799X