CTS: Surgical operation - keyhole or open
I attended your clinic on Monday 26th September 2016; my thanks to all for a professional and effective service. You diagnosed CTS in both hands, the right with a score of 4 and suggested surgery. [You also gave me wrist splints for both hands which have already provided some relief at night and early morning.] I would like to ask about the surgical technique (you suggested that I could attend at the St Stephens Health Centre in Ashford); would the surgical procedure be keyhole or open? Many thanks.
With best regards,
Stuart
Dear Dr. Bland,
At my consultation you suggested that you could arrange for surgery on my right wrist. Please may I take you up on this? My symptoms over the three weeks since my diagnosis remain unchanged and troublesome.
Many thanks,
Stuart
I can either book you in with Mr Chris James - the hand surgeon at the William Harvey, or with Dr S Varma - a GP surgeon who operates at St Stephens Health Centre in Ashford on Saturdays. Both reputable surgeons, open technique, St Stephens may be slightly quicker - either way it should only take a few weeks to arrange. Let me know which way you want to go and I'll tell you what to do. JB
Thank you Dr. Bland. I would like to go with Mr James please. Many thanks, Stuart.
OK. I will pass your details to the team who run the surgical waiting list at the William Harvey tomorrow and they will contact you directly when they have a date for surgery. JB
Just to confirm that I've sent the necessary paperwork. If you haven't heard anything in about 4 weeks or so let me know and I'll check that it has got through OK. JB
Good morning Dr. Bland, once again, very many thanks. Best regards, Stuart.
Dear Dr. Bland, thus far I haven't heard from The William Harvey Hospital regarding a scheduled operation on my right wrist. Is it possible to check on progress please? Many thanks. With best regards, Stuart.
I'm away at King's College today but we'll check with the waiting list office on Monday to make sure you are on the list and try to find out how long the queue is at present. JB
We got a bit swamped with urgent work this morning and thenEmma had to leave early - we'll get onto it tomorrow. Sorry! JB
The orthopaedic team at WHH do have your referral. I will email you a contact number for them. EK
Thank you Emma. I will contact WHH and check waiting times etc., With best regards,Stuart
Every surgeon in East Kent uses the traditional open approach, as do most UK surgeons. Mr Belcher who used to be at East Grinstead is the nearest person I know who worked extensively with the endoscopic 'keyhole' approach. There are no dramatic advantages to endoscopic surgery. JB