Anterior Submuscular Transposition of the Ulnar nerve with Z-lengthening of the Flexor-Pronator origin in Severe Cubital Tunnel Syndrome

Journal of the Korean Society for Surgery of the Hand 2001;6(2):175-180.
Published online December 1, 2001.

Kyeong Jin Han, Shin Young Khang, Soon Jong Ok, Byoung-Suck Kim

중증의 주관절 터널 증후군에 대한 척골 신경의 전방 근하 이전술 및 굴근-회내근 기시부 연장술

한경진, 강신영, 옥순종, 김병석

Abstract

Purpose
: To make a better treatment of severe cubital tunnel syndrome, we performed anterior submuscular transposition of the ulnar nerve with Z-lengthening of the flexor-pronator origin and we present the clinical results by analyzing the functions of patients before and after the operation. Objects and Methods : The 14 cases of cubital tunnel syndrome in serious condition showing an intrinsic muscular atrophy were reviewed. We compared and analyzed the age, sex, causes of disease, duration of symptoms, existence of pain and paresthesia, grip and pinch strength, two-point discrimination before and after the operation. Results : A paresthesia disappeared completely in 8 cases and the other 6 cases showed much improvement at the time of the final follow up. The average grip strength before the operation was 57.5% compared with the contralateral side and about 80% in final follow up. The average pinch strength before the operation was 58.2% compared with the contralateral side and about 65% in final follow up. The average two-point discrimination was 0.86cm before the operation and 0.59 cm in final follow up. Conclusion : As a result, anterior submuscular transposition of ulnar nerve with Z-lengthening the flexorpronator origin is satisfactory methods for the patients of serious condition of cubital tunnel syndrome.