• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.36-41
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• 2008

Surgical treatment of compressive ulnar neuropathy at the elbow has been performed with a wide variety of techniques. Among these techniques, anterior submuscular transposition of the ulnar nerve has been regarded as the method of choice by many authors. It has many advantages including a low recurrence rate, scar-free vascular bed, and protection from repeated trauma to the nerve. However, anterior submuscular transposition is technically demanding and requires more extensive soft tissue dissection. On the other hand, anterior subfascial transposition is less invasive, requires a relatively shorter operation time than the submuscular technique, and also can be done safely even in patiensts with elbow arthritis. We evaluated the clinical results of anterior submuscular transposition compared with anterior subfascial transposition. Fifteen patients underwent anterior submuscular transposition and ten patients underwent anterior subfascial transposition of the ulnar nerve. The mean follow-up time was 15 months (range 10 to 38 months) in the anterior submuscular transposition group and 7 months (range 6 to 15 months) in the anterior subfascial transposition group. According to the outcome status determination algorithm devised by Mowlavi, 3 patients (20%) showed total relief, 10 patiensts (66.7%) improvement and 2 patients (13.3%) no changes in the anterior submuscular transposition group. In the anterior subfascial transposition group, 2 patients (20%) showed total relief, 7 patients (70%) improvement and 1 patient (10%) displayed no changes. Statistically there was no significant difference of the clinical results between the two surgical techniques. Therefore we would suggest anterior subfascial transposition of the ulnar nerve as a preferred method for treatment of cubital tunnel syndrome.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.54-60
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• 2000

As a surgical treatment of ulnar nerve entrapment syndrome includes simple decompression, medial epicondylectomy, and anterior transposition of the ulnar nerve into a subcutaneous or submuscular bed have been widely used. Despite many reports of these surgical procedure, there is little to guide the choice of one surgical technique. The purpose of our study is to analyse clinical and electrodiagnostic result after minimal invasive decompression by decompression and medial epicondyloplasty(deepening of ulnar groove). We have experienced 9 cases of ulnar nerve entrapment syndrome who were treated with decompression and medial epicondyloplasty. Male were five and female were four. The mean age at operation was 36 years ranging from 23 to 47 years. Operative procedure was to incise the medial intermuscular septum and aponeurotic arch of flexor carpiulnaris and to deepen the ulnar groove. Patients are allowed to do range of motion(ROM) exercise on the average 5days. All patient were relieved pain and improved motor and sensory function, and this procedure allows early ROM exercise after operation because the muscle have not been detached.