Endoscopically assisted ulnar neurolysis for cubital tunnel syndrome

Tech Hand Up Extrem Surg. 2009 Sep;13(3):155-9. doi: 10.1097/BTH.0b013e3181b23046.

Abstract

Controversy remains regarding the surgical treatment of cubital tunnel syndrome. Similar outcomes with ulnar nerve transposition, both subcutaneous and submuscular, and simple decompression have recently been reported. We describe an endoscopically assisted cubital tunnel release through a 2-cm incision using readily available standard equipment. Seventeen of 21 procedures successfully alleviated symptoms of cubital tunnel syndrome in these patients. Four patients who developed ulnar nerve subluxation intraoperatively who were treated with medial epicondylectomy failed to experience relief of symptoms and were successfully treated with anterior submuscular transposition. Patients with more profound motor weakness and/or electrodiagnostic studies had less complete relief of symptoms.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Arthroscopy / methods*
  • Cohort Studies
  • Cubital Tunnel Syndrome / diagnosis
  • Cubital Tunnel Syndrome / surgery*
  • Decompression, Surgical / adverse effects
  • Decompression, Surgical / methods*
  • Endoscopy / methods
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nerve Regeneration / physiology
  • Postoperative Complications / physiopathology
  • Prognosis
  • Range of Motion, Articular / physiology
  • Recovery of Function
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Risk Assessment
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Ulnar Nerve / pathology*
  • Ulnar Nerve / surgery