[Decompression and anterior transposition of ulnar nerve with inferior ulnar collateral artery for cubital tunnel syndrome].
OBJECTIVE
To report the operation method and the clinical effect of decompression and anterior transposition of the ulnar nerve with inferior ulnar collateral artery for cubital tunnel syndrome.


METHODS
From September 2005 to May 2006, 25 cases of cubital tunnel syndrome were treated by the method of decompression and anterior transposition of the ulnar nerve with inferior ulnar collateral artery. There were 19 males and 6 females with an average of 60 years (20-72 years). The disease course was 2 months to 3 years (mean 6.7 months). The causes were osteoarthritis in 23 cases, cubital tunnel cyst in 1 case and ulnar nerve olisthy in 1 case. According to Pasque grading system for cubital tunnel syndrome, 19 cases were graded as good and 6 cases were graded as poor. Electrophysiological examination showed the motor nerve conduction velocity of the ulnar nerve around the elbow joint was less than 42 m/s.


RESULTS
All wounds healed by first intention and no operative complications and recurrences occurred. All patients were followed up for one year to two and half years (13.9 months on average). According to Pasque grading system for cubital tunnel syndrome, 15 cases were graded as excellent, 9 cases as good and 1 case as fair. The excellent and good rate was 96%, indicating a significant difference compared with the results before operation (P < 0.05). Electrophysiological examination showed the motor nerve conduction velocity of the ulnar nerve around the elbow joint was more than 42 m/s.


CONCLUSIONS
The method of decompression and anterior transposition of the ulnar nerve with inferior ulnar collateral artery is safe and effective for the treatment of cubital tunnel syndrome.
Zhao
Min
M
Department of Upper Limber Surgery, Beijing Shunyi Hospital, China Medical University, Beijing, 101300, P.R. China. zhaomin699@163.com
Shao
Xinzhong
X
Tian
Dehu
D
Wu
Jinying
J
Li
Dacun
D
Li
Jianfeng
J
Liu
Jingda
J
Zhao
Liang
L
Wang
Limin
L
Jiang
Guifang
G
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D020430:Cubital Tunnel Syndrome / Q000601:surgery*; D019299:Decompression, Surgical; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D017535:Ulnar Artery; D014459:Ulnar Nerve / Q000601:surgery*