Operative Findings in Reoperation of Patients with Cubital Tunnel Syndrome

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to report the operative findings in patients who underwent a secondary operation for cubital tunnel syndrome. A chart review was performed of 100 patients who had undergone a secondary operation for cubital tunnel syndrome by one surgeon. The mean age was 48 years (standard deviation 13.5 years). The most common complaint after primary surgery was increased symptoms in the ulnar nerve distribution (n=55) and pain in the medial antebrachial cutaneous nerve distribution (n=55). The most common operative findings included a medial antebrachial cutaneous nerve neuroma (n=73) and a distal kink of the ulnar nerve (n=57). This kink was noted as the nerve moved from its transposed position anterior to the medical epicondyle to its native position within the flexor carpi ulnaris. This study suggests that during primary surgery for cubital tunnel syndrome care should be given to avoid injury to the medial antebrachial cutaneous nerve, distal kinking of the ulnar nerve with transposition and pressure on the transposed nerve by the fascial flaps or tendinous bands.