Cubital tunnel syndrome. Treatment by decompression without transposition of ulnar nerve.

Cubital tunnel syndrome is the second most common entrapment neuropathy in the upper limb; however, surgical treatment of the ulnar nerve entrapment at the elbow remains controversial. None of the presently advocated procedures (simple decompression of the ulnar nerve, medial epicondylectomy, subcutaneous, submuscular or intramuscular anterior transposition of the ulnar nerve) has proven optimal regarding long-term results. This paper presents the experience of treating cubital tunnel syndrome with simple decompression in 40 patients. Three months after surgery 23/36 patients did not feel any pain in their operated hands. In 11/36 cases we observed an improvement of preoperative pain. Sensory disturbances disappeared completely in 24/40 cases. 11/40 patients reported an improvement of preoperative dysesthesia or hypesthesia. In 12/22 patients we observed complete recovery of preoperative pareses of adductor muscle of thumb or hypothenar muscles weakness. 7/22 cases demonstrated an improvement of these pareses. In total 28 patients (70 %) had an excellent outcome without residual symptoms. For 5 patients treatment results were classified as good with slight residual pain and sensory disturbance (12.5 %). In 4 cases (10 %) we only observed a fair outcome with persistent severe sensory and motor deficits but slow improvement over the last three months. Three patients did not demonstrate any improvement (7.5 %). The mean duration of postoperative disablement in our working patients (18/40) was 28 days. In summary, simple decompression of the ulnar nerve seems to be an adequate and successful minimally invasive technique for the treatment of cubital tunnel syndrome.     

Cubital tunnel syndrome: anterior transposition with epicondylar osteotomy

In this article we reviewed nine consecutive patients operated on for cubital tunnel syndrome. They underwent a modification of the Learmonth procedure in which a medial epicondyle osteotomy was performed. The dissection was completed within intermuscular tissue planes to allow the ulnar nerve to be transposed submuscularly. The medial epicondyle was then replaced and secured using two 4.0 mm AO cancellous screws. This article describes an operative technique, which has not been definitively described previously. Eight of nine patients demonstrated both subjected and objective improvement postoperatively. Eight patients returned to work following surgery. We fell that medial epicondylar osteotomy and screw fixation has minimized operative bleeding, subsequent inflammation, and fibrosis. Immediate range of motion activities have been encouraged, and earlier complete rehabilitation demonstrated.     

Cubital tunnel syndrome: evaluation of anterior subcutaneous transposition of the ulnar nerve]

57 cases of cubital tunnel syndrome were treated by anterior subcutaneous transposition of the ulnar nerve. Physical examination showed that ulnar nerve function--motor and sensory improved after surgery treatment. Subcutaneous transposition is a reliable and effective surgical option.     

Simple decompression or subcutaneous anterior transposition of the ulnar nerve for cubital tunnel syndrome

The purpose of this prospective randomised study was to evaluate which operative technique for treatment of cubital tunnel syndrome is preferable: subcutaneous anterior transposition or nerve decompression without transposition. This study included 66 patients suffering from pain and/or neurological deficits with clinically and electromyographically proven cubital tunnel syndrome. Thirty-two patients underwent nerve decompression without transposition and 34 underwent subcutaneous transposition of the nerve. Follow-up examinations evaluating pain, motor and sensory deficits as well as motor nerve conduction velocities, were performed 3 and 9 months postoperatively. There were no significant differences between the outcomes of the two groups at either postoperative follow-up examination. We recommend simple decompression of the nerve in cases without deformity of the elbow, as this is the less invasive operative procedure.     

Subcutaneous anterior transposition of the ulnar nerve for failed decompression of cubital tunnel syndrome

The current literature universally suggests that submuscular anterior transposition is the standard operative treatment for recurrent cubital tunnel syndrome. Regardless of the type of initial failed procedure, including submuscular transposition, 20 patients underwent anterior subcutaneous transposition of the ulnar nerve. All patients were monitored for a minimum of 2 years after surgery. The most common sites of compression were the medial intermuscular septum and the flexor-pronator aponeurosis. Fifteen patients had a good or excellent outcome; 5 patients had a fair or poor outcome. Relief of pain and paresthesias were the most consistent favorable results. Fair and poor outcomes were significantly associated with increasing age and the number of previous surgeries. Subcutaneous anterior transposition of the ulnar nerve proved to be an effective treatment for recurrent cubital tunnel syndrome.     

Cubital tunnel syndrome: results of simple decompression]

32 cases of cubital tunnel syndrome were treated by simple decompression of the ulnar nerve. Physical examination showed that ulnar nerve function - motor and sensory improved after surgery treatment. Simple decompression is a reliable and effective surgical option.     

Proximal ulnar nerve compression. Cubital tunnel syndrome.

Ulnar nerve compression about the elbow is common. If diagnosed and treated early, satisfactory results can be expected. Severe chronic nerve compression may lead to permanent nerve damage. The diagnosis can be made by careful history, physical examination, knowledge of the nerve anatomy, and sometimes electrodiagnosis. Cubital tunnel syndrome must be differentiated from TOS and ulnar tunnel syndrome. Double-crush syndrome should be ruled out. Nonoperative treatment must be attempted first, whereas surgical treatment is indicated in severe and chronic cases. Satisfactory results can be achieved after surgery if nerve damage is absent and careful attention to technical details and gentle handling of the nerve are exercised.     

Cubital tunnel syndrome.

Cubital tunnel syndrome is the second most common compressive neuropathy of the upper extremity. Key factors in the history, physical, and differential are outlined to assist the clinician in making an accurate diagnosis. Nonoperative measures and surgical options are reviewed, with medial epicondylectomy being the authors' preferred operative technique.     

Simple decompression of the ulnar nerve: an alternative to anterior transposition.

Anterior transposition and/or medial epicondylectomy are often considered procedures of choice for ulnar neuropathy at the elbow. Much experience suggests simple decompression to be a comparably effective alternative which involves less trauma, morbidity, and rehabilitation time. The post-operative clinical and electrophysiological results of 52 cases of simple decompression (41 patients) are summarized. Excellent or good clinical results were found in 75% of the nerves. Mean ulnar motor conduction velocities were significantly improved post-operatively, although nerve conduction parameters did not consistently correlate with clinical outcome. The average return-to-work time was 5.1 weeks. The advantages of simple decompression make it the procedure of choice for most cases of ulnar neuropathy.     

Cubital tunnel syndrome: a retrospective review of 53 anterior subcutaneous transpositions

Fifty-three cases of cubital tunnel syndrome were treated by anterior subcutaneous transposition of the ulnar nerve. All patients were assessed by an independent examiner at a mean follow-up of 32 months. McGowan's rating scale, as modified by Goldberg, was used preoperatively and at follow-up. Preoperatively, five cases were classified grade I, 37 grade IIA, eight grade IIB and three grade III. Thoracic outlet syndrome was also present in 7 cases. At follow-up, 44 cases were grade 0, three grade I, five grade IIA and one grade IIB. Forty-four of the 53 cases had resolved and the other nine had improved. Subcutaneous transposition is a reliable and effective surgical option. The result is less satisfactory if a thoracic outlet syndrome is also present.     

Ulnar nerve elongation and excursion in the cubital tunnel after decompression and anterior transposition

We studied the elongation and excursion of cadaveric ulnar nerves during elbow flexion in control conditions and after in situ decompression and anterior subcutaneous transposition. We found that the normal nerve had the greatest elongation (23%) and excursion (14 mm) in the epicondylar groove. Decompression did not alter the excursion, but significantly reduced the elongation in the groove (6%) and increased it proximally (19%). After anterior subcutaneous transposition, the nerve segment which was originally in the groove elongated with elbow extension to the same extent as occurred with the normal nerve during flexion.     

内窥镜辅助下肘管减压尺神经前置术的应用解剖

目的 在尸体上模拟内窥镜辅助下肘管减压及尺神经前置术,探讨该术式的注意事项.方法 在8具上肢标本上模拟内窥镜辅助下肘管减压及尺神经前置术,再对尸体进行解剖,观察尺神经松解、前置效果及有无前臂内侧皮神经损伤.结果 8侧标本均顺利去除肘部尺神经卡压的因素,前置尺神经充分,固定牢靠,未形成继发卡压.在肘管减压及尺神经松解过程中前臂内侧皮神经后支均未损伤.皮下筋膜与屈肌旋前圆肌肌膜缝合固定法缝扎前臂内侧皮神经后支2例,筋膜瓣法固定未对前臂内侧皮神经造成损伤.结论 在内窥镜辅助下能切除肘部尺神经卡压的常见因素,前置尺神经充分,并能有效降低前臂内侧皮神经后支的损伤,但需注意皮下筋膜与屈肌旋前圆肌肌膜缝合固定法易缝扎前臂内侧皮神经后支,而筋膜瓣法固定相对安全.     

肘管综合征尺神经的前置方式及其疗效比较

目的分析比较两种尺神经前置方式治疗肘管综合征的疗效。方法回顾分析45例肘管综合征病例，分别采用尺神经皮下前置和肌下前置两种不同手术方式；获得随访31例，其中行皮下前置23例，肌下前置8例。结果术后随访6个月-8年，平均2．4年。23例皮下前置者疗效优8例，良11例，可3例，差1例，优良率82．6％；8例肌下前置者疗效优2例，良4例，可1例，差1例，优良率75％。尺神经皮下前置和肌下前置的效果没有显著差异，但肘管综合征中度患者的疗效明显好于重度患者。结论肘管综合征的治疗最重要的是对肘管和尺神经彻底的减压，皮下前置和肌下前置两种手术方式的效果没有差异。肘管综合征一旦明确诊断，应积极行手术治疗。     

Subcutaneous anterior transposition versus decompression and medial epicondylectomy for the treatment of cubital tunnel syndrome

A review of the literature often fails to uncover the best procedure for the treatment of cubital tunnel syndrome. This article compares 2 frequently used methods (subcutaneous anterior transposition vs decompression and medial epicondylectomy) for their effectiveness in relieving both subjective and objective symptoms of cubital tunnel syndrome. Between August 1991 and October 1993, nineteen patients underwent surgical decompression by a single surgeon for ulnar neuropathy at the elbow. Factors evaluated included upper extremity range of motion, elbow valgus stress, grip strength, pinch, 2-point discrimination, and pre- and postoperative nerve conduction. A standardized questionnaire was administered to assess subjective relief of symptoms.In the transposition group, grip strength averaged 71.2% of normal and pinch strength 86.6% of normal, and 2-point discrimination averaged 8.0 mm. The derived subjective assessment score was 23.2 of a possible 40. The average ulnar motor conduction velocity across the elbow was 50.1 m/sec preoperatively and 56.3 m/sec postoperatively. In the medial epicondylectomy group, grip strength averaged 79.5% of normal and pinch strength 81.7% of normal, and 2-point discrimination averaged 8.0 mm. The average ulnar motor conduction velocity across the elbow was 45.7 m/sec preoperatively and 55.7 m/sec postoperatively. No statistically significant difference existed between the 2 groups for the aforementioned indexes. These results do not indicate a difference between the outcomes of the patients undergoing either of the procedures. Because epicondylectomy is less technically demanding, with less soft tissue dissection of the nerve, it may be preferred over ulnar transposition.     

带血供尺神经深筋膜瓣下前置术解剖学研究

目的为带血供尺神经深筋膜瓣下前置术提供解剖学依据。方法在12侧福尔马林固定的成人尸体上肢标本、8侧新鲜尸体上肢标本上观测尺神经在肘部的血供。结果肘部尺神经血供来源有3个:尺侧上副动脉(SUCA)、尺侧下副动脉(IUCA)和尺侧返动脉后支(PURA),与尺神经伴行长度分别约为15.0cm、5.0cm和5.5cm。尺神经于肘部发出关节支和肌支分别为1～3支。结论行尺神经深筋膜瓣下前置术时至少应保留SUCA或IUCA,深筋膜瓣的制作应依据任意皮瓣原则。