Subcutaneous anterior transposition of the ulnar nerve for failed decompression of cubital tunnel syndrome

The current literature universally suggests that submuscular anterior transposition is the standard operative treatment for recurrent cubital tunnel syndrome. Regardless of the type of initial failed procedure, including submuscular transposition, 20 patients underwent anterior subcutaneous transposition of the ulnar nerve. All patients were monitored for a minimum of 2 years after surgery. The most common sites of compression were the medial intermuscular septum and the flexor-pronator aponeurosis. Fifteen patients had a good or excellent outcome; 5 patients had a fair or poor outcome. Relief of pain and paresthesias were the most consistent favorable results. Fair and poor outcomes were significantly associated with increasing age and the number of previous surgeries. Subcutaneous anterior transposition of the ulnar nerve proved to be an effective treatment for recurrent cubital tunnel syndrome. (J Hand Surg 2000;25A:544–551. Copyright © 2000 by the American Society for the Surgery of the Hand.)