Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine which factors may influence in the outcome of the surgical treatment of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS).

Material and Methods: During 2005, 175 patients were treated with the diagnosis of CTS by open carpal release (short palmar incision) without ligament reconstruction. 113 cases were selected: 39 males and 74 females, with an average age of 41 years (21 to 64 years) and a follow-up of 24 months (12–36 months). The dominant hand was treated in 58%. The subcutaneous cellular tissue (SCT) was sutured in 14% and 11% were immobilized with a cast for 2 weeks after surgery.

We considered factors such as: systemic conditions, functional work requirement, preoperative time, surgical technique, and their correlation with complications, clinical outcome and time to return to work and activity level.

Results: Complications: 41% pillar pain, 9% suture dehiscence, 3,5% ulnar neuritis, 1,7% trigger finger, 1,7% reflex sympathetic dystrophy, and 1,8% wound infection. 5 patients were re-operated. Complications rate due to surgery was 3,5% after 12 months of follow-up. The average time out of work was 9 weeks (2–43 weeks) and was higher (13 weeks) in patients with post-operative immobilization. All patients, except one, returned to their previous activity level. History of systemic conditions and dominance had not influence on the final outcome. The suture of the SCT and the postoperative immobilization showed lower wound dehiscence and pillar pain cases.

Conclusions: The surgical treatment of the CTS provides good clinical and labour results. Patients with suture of the SCT and cast immobilization show less post-operative surgical complications.

Introduction and objectives: The purpose of the research is to show the agreement and reproducibility among 5 observers when they are questioned about 51 open fractures using two open fracture classifications for long bones (Gustilo and Aybar), interpreting the results obtained between both classifications.

Material and Method: A classification protocol is established for open fractures. The fractures are graded independently using each of the systems being evaluated (Gustilo and Aybar), by visualising slides with clinical and radiologic images in addition to a report of the data in the clinical history. The survey is conducted twice with a time difference of one to eight weeks. 5 members of the Orthopedic and Traumatologic Surgery Department (OTSD) were questioned (1 Professor, 2 Specialists and 2 Residents). The statistical method used to analyse the results was the interobserver agreement percentage and the inter- and intraobserver kappa index.

Results: The interobserver agreement percentage for the Gustilo classification was 58.82% and 39.21% for the Aybar classification. The kappa index for the interobserver agreement for the Gustilo classification was 0.51 and for the Aybar classification was 0.54. The kappa index for the intraobserver reproducibility was 0.69 for the Gustilo classification and 0.58 for the Aybar one.

Conclusions: The interobserver agreemnet was considered moderate-poor for the Gustilo and Aybar classifications. The intraobserver reproducibility was considered substantial for the Gustilo classification and moderate for the Aybar one. We conclude that this agreement shows too much variability as to accept just one classification as the only valid method to take therapeutic decisions or for comparing results. Therefore, it’s necessary to create a more detailed and careful classification, which is quick to use, reliable, reproducible and which contains a more objective criteria.