Preservation of the Ulnar Bursa Within the Carpal Tunnel: Does It Improve the Outcome of Carpal Tunnel Surgery? A randomized, controlled trial

118 patients with carpal tunnel syndrome were randomized to receive treatment involving the preservation of the parietal layer of the ulnar bursa beneath the flexor retinaculum or division of the ulnar bursa during open carpal tunnel decompression. Over 8 to 9 weeks, there was no significant difference between the two groups for grip strength, scar pain, symptoms and disability. The group with preserved ulnar bursae demonstrated a lower rate of wound infection and inflammation than the group with the divided ulnar bursa.