Cubital tunnel syndrome: A retrospective review of 53 anterior subcutaneous transpositions

Fifty-three cases of cubital tunnel syndrome were treated by anterior subcu taneous transposition of the ulnar nerve. All patients were assessed by an independent examiner at a mean follow-up of 32 months. McGowan's rating sca le, as modified by Goldberg, was used preoperatively and at followup. Preop eratively, five cases were classified grade I, 37 grade IIA, eight grade II B and three grade III. Thoracic outlet syndrome was also present in 7 cases . At follow-up, 44 cases were grade 0, three grade I, five grade IIA and on e grade IIB. Forty-four of the 53 cases had resolved and the other nine had improved. Subcutaneous transposition is a reliable and effective surgical option. The result is less satisfactory if a thoracic outlet syndrome is al so present.