title: Subcutaneous anterior transposition of the ulnar nerve in cubital tunnel syndrome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to present the mid-to long-term results of subcutaneous anterior transposition of the ulnar nerve in the treatment of cubital tunnel syndrome.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study retrospectively evaluated 33 patients (24 males, 9 females; mean age: 48 years; range: 26 to 59 years) who underwent subcutaneous transposition of the ulnar nerve. Mean follow-up period was 4 years 9 months (range: 2 years 6 months to 8 years). Modified McGowan's classification was used for preoperative scoring and the Wilson & Krout classification for postoperative clinical evaluation. Preoperatively 5 patients (15%) had Grade 1, 7 (21%) had Grade 2A, 9 (27%) had Grade 2B, and 12 (36%) had Grade 3 neuropathy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were excellent results in 24 patients (73%), good in 7 (21%), fair in 1 (3%), and poor in one (3%). The patient with the poor result had developed neuropathy following a crush injury. There was a negative correlation between the preoperative McGowan grade and the postoperative Wilson & Krout score (p<0.05, r=-0.43). The success rate of the operation was significantly lower in patient groups as the time from symptom onset increased (p<0.05). There were no complications.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Subcutaneous anterior transposition of the ulnar nerve is an effective and reliable surgical method with a low complication rate for the treatment of cubital tunnel syndrome.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Faculty of Medicine, Namık Kemal University, Tekirdağ, Turkey. nevzatselim@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Nevzat Selim
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Gökay
authors.forename: A Erdem
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Bagatur
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D020430:Cubital Tunnel Syndrome / Q000601:surgery*; D019299:Decompression, Surgical / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D040521:Subcutaneous Tissue / Q000601:surgery*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014459:Ulnar Nerve / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery*