[Anatomical study on anterior transposition of ulnar nerve accompanied with arteries for cubital tunnel syndrome].

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the blood supply of the ulnar nerve in the elbow region and to design the procedure of anterior transposition of ulnar nerve accompanied with arteries for cubital tunnel syndrome.

METHODS

The vascularity of the ulnar nerve was observed and measured in 20 adult cadaver upper limb specimens. And the clinical surgical procedure was imitated in 3 adult cadaver upper limb specimens.

RESULTS

There were three major arteries to supply the ulnar nerve at the elbow region: the superior ulnar collateral artery, the inferior ulnar collateral artery and the posterior ulnar recurrent artery. The distances from arterial origin to the medial epicondyle were 14.2+/-0.9, 4.2+/-0.6 and 4.8+/-1.1 cm respectively. And the total length of the vessels travelling alone with the ulnar nerve were 15.0+/-1.3, 5.1+/-0.3 and 5.6+/-0.9 cm. The external diameter of the arteries at the beginning spot were 1.5+/-0.5, 1.2+/-0.3 and 1.4+/-0.5 mm respectively. The perpendicular distance of the three arteries were 1.2+/-0.5, 2.7+/-0.9 and 1.3+/-0. 5 cm respectively.

CONCLUSION

It is feasible to perform anterior transposition of the ulnar nerve accompanied with arteries for cubital tunnel syndrome. And the procedure preserves the blood supply of the ulnar nerve following transposition.