Compression of the ulnar nerve at the elbow: cubital tunnel syndrome.

Although cubital tunnel syndrome has been described as the most common entrapment of the ulnar nerve, there is still considerable difficulty identifying the exact location of the pathologic compression of the nerve and deciding on the correct surgical or nonsurgical treatment. The most commonly recommended surgical techniques include simple (in situ) decompression, decompression with medial epicondylectomy, anterior subcutaneous transposition, and anterior submuscular transposition of the ulnar nerve at the elbow. It is important to understand the pitfalls and possible complications of these commonly used treatments.