Cubital tunnel release with endoscopic assistance: Results of a new technique

We evaluated the results of cubital tunnel release with endoscopic assistan ce. Th study included 76 patients (85 elbows); 47 women and 29 men. Nine pa tients had bilateral procedures. Patients were excluded if they had less th an 1 year of follow-up, associated pathology at the elbow to account for th e nerve compression, or recurrent cubital tunnel syndrome. Before surgery, cases were categorized by stage of cubital tunnel syndrome according to Del lon's classification: 33 (39%) elbows were classified as mild, 35 (41%) mod erate, and 17 (20%) severe. Surgical results were assessed according to a m odified Bishop rating system. The mean follow-up period was 32 months (rang e, 12-52 months). Results were excellent in 42% of the elbows, good in 45%, fair in 11%, and poor in 2%. Recurrence occurred in 3 elbows. There were n o serious complications. The results of this study support our recommendati on of cubital tunnel release with endoscopic assistance as a safe and relia ble technique for the treatment of cubital tunnel syndrome, especially in p atients with mild to moderate symptoms. (J Hand Surg 1999;24A:21-29. Copyri ght (C) 1999 by the American Society for Surgery of the Hand.).