Hybrid-J shape needle in ultrasound-guided looped thread carpal tunnel release: a cadaveric study on safety and efficacy

Abstract Background Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most prevalent peripheral nerve entrapment disorder, often requiring surgical intervention. While Ultrasound-guided Looped Thread Carpal Tunnel Release (LTCTR) offers a minimally invasive alternative to carpal tunnel release, its implementation...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Lin Jiasen, Li Yuxiang, Jiang Liang, Long Yi, Li Honglve, Wang Yongbo, Geng Weikuan, Deng Xinghao, Zhang Congda, Yang Rui, Hou Jingyi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-07-01
Series:BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-025-08932-1
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1849333935921692672
author Lin Jiasen
Li Yuxiang
Jiang Liang
Long Yi
Li Honglve
Wang Yongbo
Geng Weikuan
Deng Xinghao
Zhang Congda
Yang Rui
Hou Jingyi
author_facet Lin Jiasen
Li Yuxiang
Jiang Liang
Long Yi
Li Honglve
Wang Yongbo
Geng Weikuan
Deng Xinghao
Zhang Congda
Yang Rui
Hou Jingyi
author_sort Lin Jiasen
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most prevalent peripheral nerve entrapment disorder, often requiring surgical intervention. While Ultrasound-guided Looped Thread Carpal Tunnel Release (LTCTR) offers a minimally invasive alternative to carpal tunnel release, its implementation faces limitations due to insufficient specialized instruments. This cadaveric study assesses the Hybrid-J Shape Needle (HJSN), a blunt-tip, J-shaped device designed to improve safety in LTCTR procedures. Methods Twenty fresh-frozen cadaveric specimens (40 wrists) were included. Ten junior surgeons were randomly assigned two cadavers, performing LTCTR with normal cannula needle (NCN) on one wrist of the same cadaver, followed by HJSN on the contralateral wrist. Intraoperative structural damage such as nerve, blood vessel and tendon were assessed by blinded observer and anatomist. Post-procedural dissection confirmed transverse carpal ligament (TCL) transection completeness. Surgeons evaluated usability, adoption intent, and likelihood of recommendation using 5-point Likert scales. Biomechanical testing assessed force thresholds required for tendon and nerve penetration. Statistical analysis included Mann-Whitney U-test, Student’s t-test, and Chi-square tests. Results HJSN reduced operative time compared to NCN (25.10 ± 6.50 vs. 31.49 ± 6.36 min, p < 0.01) and achieved 100% complete TCL transection (20/20 vs. 16/20 for NCN, p = 0.035). NCN resulted in 3 median nerve (MN) injuries, 2 ulnar artery injuries, 2 superficial palmar arch (SPA) injuries, and 2 tendon injuries, whereas HJSN caused only 1 SPA injury (OR = 10.23, 95% CI: 1.12–93.34, p = 0.02). Biomechanical testing demonstrated HJSN required higher force to penetrate tendons (27.07 ± 2.43 N vs. 9.89 ± 2.53 N, p < 0.01) and nerves (25.75 ± 3.26 N vs. 10.72 ± 2.61 N, p < 0.01). Surgeons reported stronger preference for HJSN (3.60 ± 1.07 vs. 2.40 ± 1.07, p = 0.03) and recommendation (3.80 ± 1.23 vs. 2.20 ± 1.03, p < 0.01), though usability scores were comparable (4.10 ± 1.10 vs. 3.50 ± 1.18, p = 0.22). Conclusion HJSN’s unique blunt-tip and J-shaped design improves LTCTR safety by reducing iatrogenic injuries and ensuring complete TCL release. Its biomechanical superiority and surgeon preference support clinical translation, especially for trainees. While cadaveric data are encouraging, clinical trials are needed to confirm efficacy.
format Article
id doaj-art-480337e3b09c4ec7825dd7fcb07e18d4
institution Kabale University
issn 1471-2474
language English
publishDate 2025-07-01
publisher BMC
record_format Article
series BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders
spelling doaj-art-480337e3b09c4ec7825dd7fcb07e18d42025-08-20T03:45:43ZengBMCBMC Musculoskeletal Disorders1471-24742025-07-0126111110.1186/s12891-025-08932-1Hybrid-J shape needle in ultrasound-guided looped thread carpal tunnel release: a cadaveric study on safety and efficacyLin Jiasen0Li Yuxiang1Jiang Liang2Long Yi3Li Honglve4Wang Yongbo5Geng Weikuan6Deng Xinghao7Zhang Congda8Yang Rui9Hou Jingyi10Department of Sports Medicine, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen UniversityDepartment of Sports Medicine, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen UniversityDepartment of Sports Medicine, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen UniversityDepartment of Sports Medicine, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen UniversityDepartment of Sports Medicine, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen UniversityBioscience and Biomedical Engineering Thrust, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou)Department of Sports Medicine, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen UniversityDepartment of Sports Medicine, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen UniversityDepartment of Sports Medicine, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen UniversityDepartment of Sports Medicine, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen UniversityDepartment of Sports Medicine, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen UniversityAbstract Background Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most prevalent peripheral nerve entrapment disorder, often requiring surgical intervention. While Ultrasound-guided Looped Thread Carpal Tunnel Release (LTCTR) offers a minimally invasive alternative to carpal tunnel release, its implementation faces limitations due to insufficient specialized instruments. This cadaveric study assesses the Hybrid-J Shape Needle (HJSN), a blunt-tip, J-shaped device designed to improve safety in LTCTR procedures. Methods Twenty fresh-frozen cadaveric specimens (40 wrists) were included. Ten junior surgeons were randomly assigned two cadavers, performing LTCTR with normal cannula needle (NCN) on one wrist of the same cadaver, followed by HJSN on the contralateral wrist. Intraoperative structural damage such as nerve, blood vessel and tendon were assessed by blinded observer and anatomist. Post-procedural dissection confirmed transverse carpal ligament (TCL) transection completeness. Surgeons evaluated usability, adoption intent, and likelihood of recommendation using 5-point Likert scales. Biomechanical testing assessed force thresholds required for tendon and nerve penetration. Statistical analysis included Mann-Whitney U-test, Student’s t-test, and Chi-square tests. Results HJSN reduced operative time compared to NCN (25.10 ± 6.50 vs. 31.49 ± 6.36 min, p < 0.01) and achieved 100% complete TCL transection (20/20 vs. 16/20 for NCN, p = 0.035). NCN resulted in 3 median nerve (MN) injuries, 2 ulnar artery injuries, 2 superficial palmar arch (SPA) injuries, and 2 tendon injuries, whereas HJSN caused only 1 SPA injury (OR = 10.23, 95% CI: 1.12–93.34, p = 0.02). Biomechanical testing demonstrated HJSN required higher force to penetrate tendons (27.07 ± 2.43 N vs. 9.89 ± 2.53 N, p < 0.01) and nerves (25.75 ± 3.26 N vs. 10.72 ± 2.61 N, p < 0.01). Surgeons reported stronger preference for HJSN (3.60 ± 1.07 vs. 2.40 ± 1.07, p = 0.03) and recommendation (3.80 ± 1.23 vs. 2.20 ± 1.03, p < 0.01), though usability scores were comparable (4.10 ± 1.10 vs. 3.50 ± 1.18, p = 0.22). Conclusion HJSN’s unique blunt-tip and J-shaped design improves LTCTR safety by reducing iatrogenic injuries and ensuring complete TCL release. Its biomechanical superiority and surgeon preference support clinical translation, especially for trainees. While cadaveric data are encouraging, clinical trials are needed to confirm efficacy.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-025-08932-1Carpal tunnel syndromeCadaverMinimally invasive surgical proceduresEquipment designUltrasonography, Interventional
spellingShingle Lin Jiasen
Li Yuxiang
Jiang Liang
Long Yi
Li Honglve
Wang Yongbo
Geng Weikuan
Deng Xinghao
Zhang Congda
Yang Rui
Hou Jingyi
Hybrid-J shape needle in ultrasound-guided looped thread carpal tunnel release: a cadaveric study on safety and efficacy
BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Cadaver
Minimally invasive surgical procedures
Equipment design
Ultrasonography, Interventional
title Hybrid-J shape needle in ultrasound-guided looped thread carpal tunnel release: a cadaveric study on safety and efficacy
title_full Hybrid-J shape needle in ultrasound-guided looped thread carpal tunnel release: a cadaveric study on safety and efficacy
title_fullStr Hybrid-J shape needle in ultrasound-guided looped thread carpal tunnel release: a cadaveric study on safety and efficacy
title_full_unstemmed Hybrid-J shape needle in ultrasound-guided looped thread carpal tunnel release: a cadaveric study on safety and efficacy
title_short Hybrid-J shape needle in ultrasound-guided looped thread carpal tunnel release: a cadaveric study on safety and efficacy
title_sort hybrid j shape needle in ultrasound guided looped thread carpal tunnel release a cadaveric study on safety and efficacy
topic Carpal tunnel syndrome
Cadaver
Minimally invasive surgical procedures
Equipment design
Ultrasonography, Interventional
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-025-08932-1
work_keys_str_mv AT linjiasen hybridjshapeneedleinultrasoundguidedloopedthreadcarpaltunnelreleaseacadavericstudyonsafetyandefficacy
AT liyuxiang hybridjshapeneedleinultrasoundguidedloopedthreadcarpaltunnelreleaseacadavericstudyonsafetyandefficacy
AT jiangliang hybridjshapeneedleinultrasoundguidedloopedthreadcarpaltunnelreleaseacadavericstudyonsafetyandefficacy
AT longyi hybridjshapeneedleinultrasoundguidedloopedthreadcarpaltunnelreleaseacadavericstudyonsafetyandefficacy
AT lihonglve hybridjshapeneedleinultrasoundguidedloopedthreadcarpaltunnelreleaseacadavericstudyonsafetyandefficacy
AT wangyongbo hybridjshapeneedleinultrasoundguidedloopedthreadcarpaltunnelreleaseacadavericstudyonsafetyandefficacy
AT gengweikuan hybridjshapeneedleinultrasoundguidedloopedthreadcarpaltunnelreleaseacadavericstudyonsafetyandefficacy
AT dengxinghao hybridjshapeneedleinultrasoundguidedloopedthreadcarpaltunnelreleaseacadavericstudyonsafetyandefficacy
AT zhangcongda hybridjshapeneedleinultrasoundguidedloopedthreadcarpaltunnelreleaseacadavericstudyonsafetyandefficacy
AT yangrui hybridjshapeneedleinultrasoundguidedloopedthreadcarpaltunnelreleaseacadavericstudyonsafetyandefficacy
AT houjingyi hybridjshapeneedleinultrasoundguidedloopedthreadcarpaltunnelreleaseacadavericstudyonsafetyandefficacy