Cubital Tunnel Syndrome: Discussion Of The Different Anterior Transpositions Of Ulnar Nerve And Comparison Of The Respective Effect

Objective To analyze and compare the effect of two different anterior transpositions of the ulnar nerve for cubital tunnel syndrome. Methods 45 cases with 31 followed up of cubital tunnel syndrome from 1991 to 2003 have been reviewed. The patients were treated with two different operative ways:anterior subcutaneous and submuscular transposition of ulnar nerve. Results 31 cases were followed up for 6 months to 8 years with an average time of 2.4 years. In subcutaneous group, 8 cases were excellent, 11 good, 3 fair and 1 poor, with a 82.6% rate of excellent or good. In submuscular group,2 were excellent,4 good,1 fair and 1 poor,with a 75% rate of excellent or good respectively. Statistical analysis stated that the effect of two anterior transpositions had no significant difference, but the effects of moderate-staged patients were obviously better than that of severe-staged patients. Conclusion Complete tunnel and nerve decompression was the most important step of the treatment of cubital tunnel syndrome. Subcutaneous and submuscular transposition of ulnar nerve had not different effect. Cubital tunnel syndrome should be operated actively since it was diagnosed.