128 patients suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome and scheduled to undergo surgical treatment were randomized to receive either an open or endoscopic release technique. This study presents the results of an extended follow-up (12.8 +/- 1.2 years), completed after the original 5-year study. The purpose was to compare symptom severity, function, disability, pain, and patient satisfaction in the long-term to determine if either technique was advantageous. The results showed that two surgical methods did not differ significantly in any outcome measure at final follow-up, and benefits originally observed at 1-year follow-up were maintained at final follow-up for both groups.