• 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.20 no.4
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• pp.236-239
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• 2017

After dual plating with a locking compression plate for comminuted intraarticular fractures of the distal humerus, the incidence of ulnar nerve injury after surgery has been reported to be up to 38%. This can be reduced by an anterior transposition of the ulnar nerve but some surgeons believe that extensive handling of the nerve with transposition can increase the risk of an ulnar nerve dysfunction. This paper reports ulnar nerve injuries caused by the incomplete insertion of a screw head in dual plating without an anterior ulnar nerve transposition for AO/OTA type C2 distal humerus fractures. When an anatomical locking plate is applied to a distal humeral fracture, locking screws around the ulnar nerve should be inserted fully without protrusion of the screw because an incompletely inserted screw can cause irritation or injury to the ulnar nerve because the screw head in the locking system usually has a slightly sharp edge because screw head has threads. If the change in insertion angle and resulting protruded head of the screw are unavoidable for firm fixation of fracture, the anterior transposition of the ulnar nerve is recommended over a soft tissue shield.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.131-135
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• 2024

Cubital tunnel syndrome refers to compression neuropathy caused by pressure on the ulnar nerve pathway around the elbow. A 63-year-old male patient visited the clinic complaining of decreased sensation and weakness in his left ring finger and little finger, stating that the symptoms first began 6 months prior. He had undergone surgery to remove a ganglion cyst from his left elbow joint about 5 years prior in Mongolia. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a cystic mass located at the previous surgical site, which was compressing the ulnar nerve within the cubital tunnel. Ulnar nerve decompression and anterior transposition were performed, and the cystic mass was excised. Upon pathological examination, the mass was diagnosed as a ganglion cyst. The patient's symptoms including sensory dysfunction and weakness improved over the 1-year follow-up period. This report describes a rare case of ganglion cyst recurrence compressing the ulnar nerve in the cubital tunnel after previous ganglion cyst excision.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.102-104
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• 2015

In this report, a case of a 70-year-old man with a large ganglion cyst formed after anterior transposition of the left ulnar nerve is presented. Three months after the index surgery, the patient presented with a painless superficial ovoid, soft mass measuring $5{\times}4{\times}2cm$ in size located at the posteromedial aspect of the left elbow, the previously operated site. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a well demarcated cystic mass with a stalk connecting to the elbow joint. Excisional biopsy was performed and pathologic findings showed that the cystic wall had no definite lining cells with myxoid degeneration compatible with findings of ganglion cyst.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.209-213
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• 1999

It is well known that tardy ulnar nerve palsy occurs with cubitus valgus deformity as a late complication after a nonunion of lateral condyle fracture of the humerus in childhood. On the other hand, cubitus varus deformity often results from malunion of supracondylar fractures of the humerus. However, reports of tardy ulnar nerve palsy in cubitus varus deformity are few. We report a patient with bilateral cubitus varus deformities with bilateral tardy ulnar nerve palsy which was confirmed with EMG. She was treated by step cut osteotomy(DeRosa and Graziano) with sub­cutaneous anterior transposition of ulnar nerve.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.36-42
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• 2005

Purpose: To evaluate the clinical results of anterior subcutaneous ulnar nerve transposition operation and the factors that influence the results for cubital tunnel syndrome. Materials and Methods: Seventeen cases of cubital tunnel syndrome were treated by anterior subcutaneous transposition between March 2001 and December 2003. The mean age was 56 years and mean follow up period was 20.4 months. All patients were reviewed retrospectively. The preoperative evaluation was done by Dellon's classification and the clinical results were evaluated by Messina’s classification. We analyzed the effect of the operation and the relations between the results and the preoperative factors, for example, duration of symptom, age, cause of illness, present of association with diabetes mellitus or preoperative flexion contracture of the elbow were analyzed. Results: The results according to Messina's classification were 4 cases of excellent, 9 cases of good, 3 cases of fair, and 1 case of poor. The preoperative factors like duration of symptom, age, cause of illness and flexion contracture of the elbow didn't show any statistical difference in the result of operation, but the cases which have diabetes mellitus were unsatisfactory with statistical difference (p=0.018). Conclusion: Anterior subcutaneous ulnar nerve transposition is relatively easy and good operative method in cubital tunnel syndrome.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.66 no.1
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• pp.90-94
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• 2023

Objective : Cubital tunnel syndrome, the most common ulnar nerve entrapment neuropathy, is usually managed by simple decompression or anterior transposition. One of the concerns in transposition is damage to the nerve branches around the elbow. In this study, the location of ulnar nerve branches to the flexor carpi ulnaris (FCU) was assessed during operations for cubital tunnel syndrome to provide information to reduce operation-related complications. Methods : A personal series (HJY) of cases operated for cubital tunnel syndrome was reviewed. Cases managed by transposition and location of branches to the FCU were selected for analysis. The function of the branches was confirmed by intraoperative nerve stimulation and the location of the branches was assessed by the distance from the center of medial epicondyle. Results : There was a total of 61 cases of cubital tunnel syndrome, among which 31 were treated by transposition. Twenty-one cases with information on the location of branches were analyzed. The average number of ulnar nerve branches around the elbow was 1.8 (0 to 3), only one case showed no branches. Most of the cases had one branch to the medial head, and one other to the lateral head of the FCU. There were two cases having branches without FCU responses (one branch in one case, three branches in another). The location of the branches to the medial head was 16.3±8.6 mm distal to the medial epicondyle (16 branches; range, 0 to 35 mm), to the lateral head was 19.5±9.5 mm distal to the medial epicondyle (19 branches; range, -5 to 30 mm). Branches without FCU responses were found from 20 mm proximal to the medial condyle to 15 mm distal to the medial epicondyle (five branches). Most of the branches to the medial head were 15 to 20 mm (50% of cases), and most to the lateral head were 15 to 25 mm (58% of cases). There were no cases of discernable weakness of the FCU after operation. Conclusion : In most cases of cubital tunnel syndrome, there are ulnar nerve branches around the elbow. Although there might be some cases with branches without FCU responses, most branches are to the FCU, and are to be saved. The operator should be watchful for branches about 15 to 25 mm distal to the medial epicondyle, where most branches come out.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.108-111
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• 2004

We experienced two cases of ulnar nerve palsy caused by a ganglion that were managed by excision of the ganglion performed concurrently with subcutaneous anterior transposition of the ulnar nerve. Satisfactory results were obtained. The possibility of ulnar nerve compression by ganglion must be considered in patient who complains rapidly progressing ulnar nerve palsy. For those cases, ultrasonography or magnetic resonance imaging seems to be helpful in obtaining preoperative diagnosis.

• 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.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.270-274
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• 2010

Purpose: Here we present tardy ulnar nerve palsy cases that were caused by the anconeus epitroch-learis muscle. Materials and Methods: A 37 year old female patient presented with tardy ulnar nerve palsy findings for the elbow. During surgery, an atypical anconeus epitrochlearis muscle was observed, which originated from the triceps aponeurosis and inserted into the medial intermuscular septum. Muscle resection, nerve decompression and ulnar nerve anterior transposition were done. A 35 year old male patient presented with tardy ulnar nerve palsy findings for the elbow. During surgery, a typical anconeus epitrochlearis muscle was found. Muscle resection, nerve decompression and ulnar nerve anterior transposition were done. Results and Conclusion: Tardy ulnar nerve palsy can be associated with and caused by either an atypical or a typical anconeus epitrochlearis muscle.