title: Subjective outcome, neurophysiological investigations, postoperative complications and recurrence rate of partial medial epicondylectomy in cubital tunnel syndrome.
abstract: The aim of the study was to evaluate the clinical outcome with subjective and neurophysiological parameters following partial medial epicondylectomy (pME) and to evaluate complications and recurrence rates. A retrospective analysis was performed in 29 patients (18 males and 11 females) with cubital tunnel syndrome (CuTS) who underwent pME. Mean time follow-up was 41.4 months. For subjective parameters, DASH (Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder and Hand), a self-created questionnaire about postoperative satisfaction and a visual pain scale (VAS) have been used. All patients were classified according to the Mc Gowan Classification (McG) and Wilson & Krout Classification (WKC). The patients were examined by nerve conduction velocity. Total mean of the DASH score was 24.8 points. In a questionnaire with integrated pain score (1-5), 96% of the patients declared a postoperative improvement, whereas 41.4% patients of the latter group were very contented with the results, 37.9% were contented, 17.2% were less contented and 3.4% were discontented. The VAS for evaluation of postoperative pain showed an average of 2.36 (0-5.9) out of 10. Of the patients, 68.0% were classified as grade I according to McG and 68.0% as excellent or good according to WKC. Motor nerve conduction velocity improved from 34.8 m/s preoperatively to 48.2 m/s postoperatively. One patient developed a haematoma and three patients (10.3%) had to be classified as recurrence. High postoperative rates of patient satisfaction and improved neurophysiological results could be achieved by pME.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Hand Surgery, Friedrich-Alexander-University of Erlangen, Krankenhausstrasse 12, Erlangen, Germany.
authors.forename: Saskia M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Schnabl
authors.forename: Franziska
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Kisslinger
authors.forename: Axel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Schramm
authors.forename: Adrian
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dragu
authors.forename: Ulrich
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Kneser
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Unglaub
authors.forename: Raymund E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Horch
mesh_terms: D020430:Cubital Tunnel Syndrome / Q000601:surgery*; D004550:Elbow / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006811:Humerus / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D009431:Neural Conduction; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D010027:Osteotomy; D010147:Pain Measurement; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome