title: Results of endoscopically-assisted cubital tunnel release without using any specific instrument.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We aimed to report the clinical and electrophysiological results of patients who were treated with an endoscopically assisted in situ release technique for cubital tunnel syndrome and to show safety and efficacy of this procedure.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty nine patients were included into the study. 13 patients (44.8%) were female, 16 patients (55.2%) were male. The mean age was 44.4 years (range; 22-66 years). Mean follow up period was 16.0 months (range; 7-42 months). We used Dellon classification for preoperative staging, and modified Bishop rating system for the evaluation of postoperative clinical results. Dynamometric and electromyographic measurements were obtained preoperatively and at final control.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Preoperative Dellon's classification revealed 3 patients grade 1, 14 grade 2, and 12 grade 3. Modified Bishop score was very good for 21 patients (72.4%), good for 4 patients (13.8%), fair for 3 patient (10.3%), and poor for 1 patient (3.4%). At final control; the mean proportion of grip power and pinch strength of the affected hand to the contralateral normal hand was improved, and also nerve conduction velocity were improved in all patients. As complication, hematoma formation developed in two cases.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study showed that endoscopically assisted decompression technique without using any special instruments can be performed successfully with a low complication rate. It is a safe and effective method in the treatment of cubital tunnel syndrome.
  
  
  METHODS
  Level IV, Therapeutic study.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Izmir Katip Celebi University, Izmir, Turkey. Electronic address: zengincagatay@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Çağatay
authors.initials: Ç
authors.lastname: Zengin
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Izmir Katip Celebi University, Izmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Mesut
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tahta
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Izmir Katip Celebi University, Izmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Özgür
authors.initials: Ö
authors.lastname: Güntürk
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Izmir Katip Celebi University, Izmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Cihan
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Aslan
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Izmir Katip Celebi University, Izmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ufuk
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Şener
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Izmir Katip Celebi University, Izmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Muhittin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Şener
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D020430:Cubital Tunnel Syndrome / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D019299:Decompression, Surgical / Q000379:methods*; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D052581:Pinch Strength; D011184:Postoperative Period; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods; D014459:Ulnar Nerve / Q000601:surgery*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Cubital tunnel syndrome; Endoscopic decompression; Minimal invasive; Ulnar nerve