[Postoperative ulnar nerve palsy of the elbow]

Ulnar nerve neuropathy of the elbow is a recognized complication of surgery involving general anesthesia. In 13 patients, aged 21-76 years, ulnar nerve palsy developed at various times and of varying degrees of severity during the postoperative period. Diagnosis was based on clinical and electrophysiological findings. 3 patients had subclinical entrapment of the ulnar nerve. All were treated conservatively by rest, splinting and physical therapy: 10 improved slowly with time and 3 were operated on, but only 1 recovered fully. Preventive measures, such as proper positioning on the operative table, use of elbow pads, avoiding adduction of the arm, pronation of the forearm and prolonged elbow flexion, may reduce the incidence of ulnar nerve palsy. Unfortunately, treatment of established lesions has yielded mixed results.