Secondary outcome measures
| Secondary outcome | Variable |
| Scar aesthetics evaluated by an outcome assessor | The mean difference between the two study arms in the aesthetic outcome of the scar evaluated on a 10 cm VAS ranged from ‘the ugliest scar possible‘ to ‘the most beautiful scar possible’. This will be performed by a blinded outcome assessor 1 year after the operation. The outcome assessor will be a trained healthcare professional, for example, a nurse, a physiotherapist or an occupational therapist, who will evaluate all the scars in this trial. All the scars will be photographed. |
| Postoperative pain | The mean difference in the mean postoperative pain experienced between the two study arms. Pain will be measured on a 10 cm VAS ranging from ‘the worst pain imaginable‘ to ‘no pain at all’. Two weeks after the operation, both groups will rate the maximum pain experienced in the region of the scar during the past week. The evaluation will be performed at home on a survey sent to them via email. |
| Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire | The mean difference in the proportional change in CTS symptoms preoperatively and postoperatively. A Finnish version of the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire by Levine et al (1993) will be used. The patients will complete the survey preoperatively and 1 year after the operation at their appointment. |
| Patient satisfaction | The mean difference between the two study arms in the NPS survey measuring client experience and the likelihood of them recommending the operation to a friend or a colleague. The patients will complete the survey 1 year after the operation. |
| Costs | The mean difference between the two study arms in the costs will be assessed. The required data will be analysed from the trial data and Finnish healthcare registries. |
| Adverse events | Adverse events will be monitored throughout the trial, and patients will be instructed to promptly report any potential serious adverse events. At the 1-year follow-up point, the questionnaires will include an inquiry about whether the patient has experienced any adverse events. |
CTS, carpal tunnel syndrome; NPS, Net Promoter Score; VAS, Visual Analogue Scale.