27 randomized and quasi-randomized trials that investigated safety outcomes in patients undergoing either endoscopic or open carpal tunnel release for carpal tunnel syndrome were included in this meta-analysis. The study was conducted to determine whether earlier concerns regarding the safety of endoscopic release in comparison to an open approach were still applicable presently. The study found that previous drawbacks of an endoscopic release such as high reoccurrence and reoperation rates have been gradually lessened to where they are now comparable with rates in an open approach. Total and major complications are also comparable between groups, whereas minor occurrences were significantly less frequent following endoscopic release. Return to activity was significantly earlier following endoscopic release compared to open release.