A modified surgical procedure for cubital tunnel syndrome: partial medial epicondylectomy

Cubital tunnel release with partial medial epicondylectomy was performed in 32 patients with cubital tunnel syndrome unresponsive to conservative management. Twenty-seven patients were available for examination an average follow-up of 13 months. Ninety-three percent were subjectively improved, with results being excellent in 8, good in 10, fair in 8, and poor in 1. Regression analyses showed a statistically significant correlation between outcome and slow ulnar nerve conduction velocity across the elbow, abnormal preoperative 2-point discrimination, abnormal preoperative terminal sensory latency of the ulnar nerve, and abnormal preoperative electromyographic studies. The results suggest that the procedure is an acceptable alternative for treatment of cubital tunnel syndrome.