title: Endoscopic cubital tunnel release: a systematic review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Theoretical advantages of endoscopic cubital tunnel release are the short incision, lower risk of nerve damage, reduced manipulation of the nerve and possible faster recovery.
  
  
  METHODS
  We systematically searched Medline (PubMed), Web of Science and Scopus databases using the following keywords: 'endoscopic ulnar nerve', 'endoscopic cubital nerve', 'endoscopic ulnar compression' and 'endoscopic ulnar neuropathy'. Twenty-one studies were included in this review. The quality of the studies was assessed using the Coleman Methodological Score.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Endoscopic release is effective for cubital tunnel entrapment and allows adequate visualization of the site of entrapment. There is a negative association between the severity of the compression and reported outcomes. Injury to the medial branch of the antebrachial cutaneous nerve is less frequent thanks to the limited dissection. The most frequent complication is the development of a hematoma.
  
  
  RESULTS
  It is unclear whether ulnar nerve instability is a contraindication to simple decompression.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The shorter time to return to work and the cosmetic appearance of the scar can be considered advantages of the endoscopic technique.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is a need to perform randomized clinical trials with common and validated scoring system with a longer duration of follow-up. The literature pertinent to endoscopic cubital tunnel release is lacking in the evaluation of the learning curve. Further investigations are necessary to assess the role of ulnar nerve instability.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, 'Federico II' University, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Smeraglia
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery, Ospedale Vaio Fidenza (PR), Fidenza, Italy.
authors.forename: Angelo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Del Buono
authors.affiliation: Department of Musculoskeletal Disorders, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Salerno, Baronissi, Salerno 84081, Italy Centre for Sports and Exercise Medicine, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Mile End Hospital, 275 Bancroft Road, London E1 4 DG, UK n.maffulli@qmul.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Maffulli
mesh_terms: D020430:Cubital Tunnel Syndrome / Q000601:surgery*; D019299:Decompression, Surgical / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D044583:Neuroendoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: cubital canal; endoscopic release; neuropathy; systematic review; ulnar nerve