Postoperative Drainage Is Recommended in Ulnar Nerve Transposition

Abstract

EG Deune, SE Mackinnon. Postoperative drainage is recommended in ulnar nerve transposition. Can J Plastic Surg 1998;6(4):201-203.

Surgery to transpose the ulnar nerve is a common treatment for cubital tunnel syndrome. Postoperative hematoma is a rare, but well recognized complication of this surgery, whereas postoperative bruising is a common sequela. A retrospective review of 138 cases of anterior submuscular transposition performed between December 1991 and December 1995 was conducted to evaluate the merits of postoperative drainage. Various parameters (patient, surgical, and anesthetic) were compared to determine their effect on drainage. Males had a higher postoperative drainage volume than females (P<0.0001). Other patient, surgical and anesthetic factors did not correlate significantly with the drainage volume. The mean drainage during the first postoperative day was 41.2±2.5 mL (range 3 mL to 190 mL). This volume is significant and warrants drainage with an indwelling catheter when anterior submuscular transposition of the ulnar nerve is performed.