A Retrospective Cohort Study of Decompressive Techniques for Cubital Tunnel Syndrome: In Situ Decompression Versus...

Cubital tunnel syndrome (CuTS) is the second most common nerve entrapment syndrome of the upper extremity after carpal tunnel syndrome. In situ decompression (ISD) and ulnar nerve transposition (UNT) are the major surgery methods in practice for the treatment of CuTS. However, controversies exist over the efficacy and safety of these methods.

The objective of the study was to compare the short- and long-term clinical outcomes in patients treated with ISD and UNT surgery.

This was a retrospective study comprising 56 patients who underwent either ISD or UNT at Naresuan University Hospital between January 2013 and December 2022. Data on age, sex, hand involved, duration of the surgery, duration of the symptoms including the clinical outcomes such as elbow range of motion (ROM), quick disabilities of the arm, shoulder, and hand (QuickDASH), McGowan grade (MGG), Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain scores, motor and sensory conduction velocity (MCV1, MCV2, and SCV), and Tinel's sign were collected during the two-week, one-month, three-month, and six-month follow-ups post-surgery.

Of the 56 patients in the study, 62.5% were female. The number of patients aged <60 years was higher in both groups. The mean age of patients in the ISD group was 49.07±6.13 years, while in the UNT group, it was 51.5±7.04 years. After one month, 53.57% and 32.14% of the patients recovered to MGG 1 in the ISD and UNT groups, respectively. The majority of the patients had MGG 1 six months after the surgery. The QuickDASH score and pain scores of the patients improved during all follow-ups, but no statistical significance was revealed when the two techniques were compared.

The study found that both the ISD and UNT were efficient and safe in treating CuTS. Further study with the inclusion of parameters such as revision surgery and complications would be vital.