Personalized Adipofascial Flap: A Game-Changer for Post-Traumatic Ulnar Nerve Neuropathy at the Wrist and Elbow.

Introduction

Post-traumatic and post-surgical ulnar nerve neuropathies at the elbow and wrist remain challenging conditions often associated with significant sensory and motor impairment. Traditional approaches such as neurolysis alone may be insufficient, especially in complex or recurrent cases. Adipofascial flaps have shown promising outcomes in peripheral nerve surgery. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of 13 patients with severe ulnar neuropathies who were treated with a size- and shape-personalized adipofascial flap for nerve coverage. Materials and

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed 13 patients treated between May 2020 and May 2024 for severe post-traumatic or post-surgical ulnar neuropathies. All underwent surgical decompression, external neurolysis, and adipofascial flap coverage. Pre- and postoperative outcomes were assessed with clinical and neurological evaluations and using the QuickDASH and NRS pain scores. Discussion: All patients showed improvement in pain and sensory-motor function, including those with complications, supporting the role of flap coverage in neuroprotection. This is the first study to describe the use of adipofascial flaps for pseudo-palsy and painful neuroma-in-continuity of the ulnar nerve at the elbow and wrist level.

Conclusions

Adipofascial flaps represent a safe, technically feasible, and effective option in complex ulnar nerve injuries, providing both mechanical and biological support. Despite the small cohort, the results suggest strong clinical potential across varied injury patterns.