title: Endoscopic ulnar nerve release at the elbow: Indications and outcomes.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Ulnar nerve entrapment at the elbow is the second most common nerve entrapment syndrome at the upper limp, after carpal tunnel syndrome. Many surgeons feel that ulnar nerve instability contra-indicates endoscopic nerve release. Published studies, however, found no evidence that pre-operative or intra-operative ulnar nerve instability adversely affected clinical outcomes. The objective of this prospective study was to define the indications and describe the outcomes of endoscopic ulnar nerve release at the elbow.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Endoscopic ulnar nerve release at the elbow is a valid option even in patients with ulnar nerve instability and regardless of the severity of the compression.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a prospective single-centre study of patients scheduled for surgery based on clinical and electromyographic manifestations of ulnar nerve entrapment at the elbow. Ulnar nerve instability (incomplete dislocation, i.e., Childress A) before or during surgery was not a contra-indication to the procedure. The patients were re-evaluated 12 months after surgery.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seventeen patients were included in the statistical analysis. The modified Bishop's score indicated excellent or good outcomes in 15 (88%) patients (excellent in 4 and good in 11) and a fair outcome in 2 patients. Functional outcomes were not associated with the presence of ulnar nerve instability before surgery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We elected to include patients with Childress A ulnar nerve instability. Clinical outcomes in these patients were similar to those in patients without ulnar nerve instability.
  
  
  METHODS
  IV, open prospective study of treatment outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Service d'orthopédie-traumatologie, CHU Dupuytren, 2, avenue Martin-Luther-King, 87000 Limoges, France. Electronic address: psmarcheix@orange.fr.
authors.forename: P-S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Marcheix
authors.affiliation: Service d'orthopédie-traumatologie, CHU Dupuytren, 2, avenue Martin-Luther-King, 87000 Limoges, France.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Vergnenegre
authors.affiliation: Service d'orthopédie-traumatologie, CHU Dupuytren, 2, avenue Martin-Luther-King, 87000 Limoges, France.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chevalier
authors.affiliation: Service d'orthopédie-traumatologie, CHU Dupuytren, 2, avenue Martin-Luther-King, 87000 Limoges, France.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hardy
authors.affiliation: Service d'orthopédie-traumatologie, CHU Dupuytren, 2, avenue Martin-Luther-King, 87000 Limoges, France.
authors.forename: J-L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Charissoux
authors.affiliation: Service d'orthopédie-traumatologie, CHU Dupuytren, 2, avenue Martin-Luther-King, 87000 Limoges, France.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mabit
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019299:Decompression, Surgical / Q000379:methods*; D004550:Elbow / Q000601:surgery*; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014459:Ulnar Nerve / Q000601:surgery*; D017769:Ulnar Nerve Compression Syndromes / Q000601:surgery*
keywords: Endoscopy; Instability; Prospective study; Ulnar nerve