Outcomes of a Novel Minimalist Approach for the Treatment of Cubital Tunnel SyndromeKeywords: ulnar neuropathy, Peripheral Nerve, Decompression, outcome, techniqueInteractive Manuscript
Ask Questions of this Manuscript:
What is the background behind your study?
We have described previously a minimalist approach employing a unique incision that allows for adequate ulnar nerve release via in situ decompression, minimizes iatrogenic injury to the medial antebrachial cubital nerve and ulnar nerve and also minimizes post-operative scar formation1.
What is the purpose of your study?
We report the outcomes of patients who have undergone this procedure at our institution.
Describe your patient group.
44 patients were included in the retrospective cohort. All patients underwent in situ decompression via the previously described minimalist approach.
Describe what you did.
A retrospective analysis of all patients who have undergone our minimalist approach for cubital tunnel release at the HVAMC from January 1, 2007 – January 1,2011 was performed. The primary outcome variables were patient satisfaction, subjective improvement, improvement in LSU grading scale, re-operation rate, and complication rate.
Describe your main findings.
Overall patient satisfaction was 86% while 75% of patients reported subjective improvement in their symptoms. There were no intra-operative complications. One patient (2.3%) required re-operation.
Describe the main limitation of this study.
This is a retrospective study.
Describe your main conclusion.
In situ decompression using our previously described minimalist approach is safe and effective.
Describe the importance of your findings and how they can be used by others.
It provides adequate decompression of the ulnar nerve with success rates comparable to those reported for other approaches while providing the benefit of a smaller incision, less scarring, decreased risk of iatrogenic nerve injury, a low recurrence rate, and minimal complications.
We have described previously a minimalist approach employing a unique incision that allows for adequate ulnar nerve release via in situ decompression, minimizes iatrogenic injury to the medial antebrachial cubital nerve and ulnar nerve and also minimizes post-operative scar formation1.
We report the outcomes of patients who have undergone this procedure at our institution.
44 patients were included in the retrospective cohort. All patients underwent in situ decompression via the previously described minimalist approach.
A retrospective analysis of all patients who have undergone our minimalist approach for cubital tunnel release at the HVAMC from January 1, 2007 – January 1,2011 was performed. The primary outcome variables were patient satisfaction, subjective improvement, improvement in LSU grading scale, re-operation rate, and complication rate.
Overall patient satisfaction was 86% while 75% of patients reported subjective improvement in their symptoms. There were no intra-operative complications. One patient (2.3%) required re-operation.
This is a retrospective study.
In situ decompression using our previously described minimalist approach is safe and effective.
It provides adequate decompression of the ulnar nerve with success rates comparable to those reported for other approaches while providing the benefit of a smaller incision, less scarring, decreased risk of iatrogenic nerve injury, a low recurrence rate, and minimal complications.
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