Anterior Submuscular Transposition of the Ulnar Nerve for Cubital Tunnel Syndrome

Abstract

48 patients with 50 involved limbs were retrospectively analyzed to determine factors influencing the outcome of surgical treatment for cubital tunnel syndrome. All patients were treated by anterior submuscular transposition of the ulnar nerve with Z-lengthening of the flexor-pronator origin. There were 24 men and 24 women with an average age of 42 years± 16.4 years (range, 5–75 years). The average follow-up time was 58 months (range, 12–156 months). A grading system was used pre- and post-operatively based on the severity of subjective complaints and objective findings. 92% of the patients were satisfied, or satisfied with some reservations, and only 8% were dissatisfied. All patients had either fair or poor pre-operative grades. 84% had excellent or good post-operative grades and only 16% had fair grades. There were no recurrences or poor post-operative grades in our series. Workers’ compensation status had no statistically significant adverse effect on postoperative patient satisfaction or post-operative grade. Anterior submuscular transposition of the ulnar nerve in this series provided satisfactory subjective outcome, relief of symptoms and adequate decompression of the ulnar nerve at the elbow.