Background: Cubital tunnel syndrome (CuTS) is the second most common entrapment neuropathy in the upper limb, after the entrapment of the median nerve in CTS

In this study, we aim to evaluate clinical and functional results in patients with cubital tunnel syndrome who were treated with submascular anterior transposition vs simple decompression of the ulnar nerve.

Methods: The study included 25 patients that were surgically treated in the orthopedic department at Aljazeera orthopedic Hospital – Misurata - between February 2015 and December 2018. These patients were randomly distributed into two groups. In the first grouponly simple decompression was performed, while in the second group anterior submascular transposition was supplemented. All cases were followed for at least 3 months. using the Bishop Score to assess outcome. A total of 25 procedures were performed with a minimum of 3 months’ post-operative follow-up. All cases were operated (Dr. Alsagair and Dr. Abozaid )

Results: In the simple decompression group, (average age 45 years), the average Bishop Score was 11 with an average time to recovery of 8 weeks. Good to excellent results were obtained in 90% and fair results in 10%.

In the anterior transposition group (average age 45 years) the average Bishop Score was 10.2 with average time to recovery of 9 weeks Good to excellent results were obtained in 86% and fair results in 13%.

Complications included subluxation of the ulnar nerve in two cases, one wound dehiscence and one postoperative hematoma.

Conclusion: These long-term results show that both surgical techniques have a good outcome. Thus, the less invasive simple decompression should be preferred.

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Dr Alaa Wafa

Aljazeera Orthopedic Hospital

Misurata Cancer Centre