ULNAR NERVE DECOMPRESSION BY TRANSPOSING THE NERVE AND Z-LENGTHENING THE FLEXOR-PRONATOR MASS - CLINICAL OUTCOME

Controversy surrounds the reliability of methods of treating ulnar ner ve compression al the elbow. The effectiveness of submuscular anterior nerve transposition was evaluated in 33 limbs of 31 patients. The fle xor-pronator Z-lengthening technique, without internal neurolysis, was used. Results were determined by patient chart reviews. Severity of p reoperative nerve compression was measured using Dellon's classificati on. Of the 33 limbs, 6 had mild preoperative nerve compression; 7, mod erate; and 20, severe. Overall outcome was evaluated using a modificat ion of the Bishop rating system. At a mean follow-up period of 49 mont hs, 12 limbs (36%) had excellent results, 20 limbs (61%) had good resu lts, and 1 limb (3%) had a poor result. These findings indicate that s ubmuscular ulnar nerve transposition using the flexor-pronator Z-lengt hening technique without internal neurolysis is a reliable method of t reating ulnar nerve compression at the elbow.