Neural Regeneration Research ›› 2015, Vol. 10 ›› Issue (10): 1690-1695.doi: 10.4103/1673-5374.167770

Previous Articles     Next Articles

Anterior subcutaneous transposition of the ulnar nerve improves neurological function in patients with cubital tunnel syndrome

Wei Huang, Pei-xun Zhang, Zhang Peng, Feng Xue, Tian-bing Wang*, Bao-guo Jiang*   

  1. Department of Trauma and Orthopedics, Peking University People’s Hospital, Beijing, China
  • Received:2015-06-12 Online:2015-10-28 Published:2015-10-28
  • Contact: Bao-guo Jiang, M.D., Ph.D. or Tian-bing Wang, M.D.,jiangbaoguo@vip.sina.com or wangtianbing@medmail.com.cn.
  • Supported by:

    This study was supported by grants from the National Program on Key Basic Research Project of China (973 Program), No. 2014CB542200; a grant from Innovation Program of Ministry of Education, No. IRT1201; the National Natural Science Foundation of China, No. 31271284, 31171150, 81171146, 30971526, 31100860, 31040043, 31371210; and Program for New Century Excellent Talents in University of Ministry of Education of China, No. BMU20110270.

PDF

921

Abstract:

Although several surgical procedures exist for treating cubital tunnel syndrome, the best surgical option remains controversial. To evaluate the efficacy of anterior subcutaneous transposition of the ulnar nerve in patients with moderate to severe cubital tunnel syndrome and to analyze prognostic factors, we retrospectively reviewed 62 patients (65 elbows) diagnosed with cubital tunnel syndrome who underwent anterior subcutaneous transposition. Preoperatively, the initial
severity of the disease was evaluated using the McGowan scale as modified by Goldberg: 18 patients (28%) had grade IIA neuropathy, 20 (31%) had grade IIB, and 27 (42%) had grade III. Postoperatively, according to the Wilson & Krout criteria, treatment outcomes were excellent in 38 patients (58%), good in 16 (25%), fair in 7 (11%), and poor in 4 (6%), with an excellent and good rate of 83%. A negative correlation was found between the preoperative McGowan grade and the postoperative Wilson & Krout score. The patients having fair and poor treatment outcomes had more advanced age, lower nerve conduction velocity, and lower action potential amplitude compared with those having excellent and good treatment outcomes. These results suggest that anterior subcutaneous transposition of the ulnar nerve is effective and safe for the treatment of moderate to severe cubital tunnel syndrome, and initial severity, advancing age, and electrophysiological parameters can affect treatment outcome.

Key words: nerve regeneration, peripheral nerve injury, ulnar nerve compression syndrome, age, motor nerve conduction velocity, electrophysiology, sensory nerve conduction velocity, modified McGowan scale, Wilson &, Krout criteria, anterior transposition, ulnar nerve, NSFC grant, neural regeneration