Comparative Morbidity of Cubital Tunnel Surgeries: A Prospective Cohort Study.

PURPOSE: Randomized controlled trials have not identified a superior surgical approach to cubital tunnel syndrome surgery. This study evaluates the early morbidity of open in situ decompression and transposition.

METHODS

This prospective cohort study enrolled 125 adult patients indicated for cubital tunnel surgery at a tertiary institution. Exclusion criteria included preoperative use of narcotics and concurrent elbow procedures. In situ decompressions (n = 47) and ulnar nerve transpositions (n = 78) were performed. Data were collected by independent clinicians at 3 postoperative intervals: 1 to 3 weeks, 4 to 8 weeks, and longer than 8 weeks. Postoperative data quantified surgical morbidity: visual analog scale (0-10) surgical site pain, narcotic consumption, patient-reported disability (Levine-Katz, Patient-Reported Elbow Evaluation [PREE] scores). Olecranon paresthesia and wound complications (hematoma, drainage, infection) were recorded.

RESULTS

No preoperative differences in age, sex, or the presence of pain existed between the surgical groups. Surgical site pain was not significantly different at any time. Following transposition, a significantly greater percentage of patients were using narcotics at 4 to 8 weeks after surgery and the average total morphine equivalents consumed per patient was significantly greater. Both Levine-Katz and PREE scores indicated greater disability at 1 to 3 and 4 to 8 weeks after transposition, but this significant difference resolved by final follow-up. Olecranon paresthesias occurred after both procedures but were significantly less frequent at 4 to 8 weeks and longer than 8 weeks after decompression. Twelve hematomas occurred following transposition (15%) with 1 requiring operative debridement and 5 hematomas resolved with nonsurgical treatment after in situ decompression (11%).

CONCLUSIONS

Ulnar nerve transposition imparts greater surgical morbidity than decompression with greater narcotic consumption, more patient-reported disability up to 8 weeks after surgery, and more persistent olecranon paresthesia. However, most differences in surgical morbidity are transient with resolution after 8 weeks following surgery.

TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic II.