Anterior intramuscular transposition with ulnar nerve decompression at theelbow

The effectiveness of decompression and anterior intramuscular transposition of the ulnar nerve for treatment of severe cubital tunnel syndrome was eva luated. A consecutive series of 39 anterior intramuscular transpositions we re reviewed. One surgeon performed the transpositions between 1993 and 1997 in 34 patients who presented with clinically severe cubital tunnel syndrom e. Clinical outcome and satisfaction with surgery were assessed. The result s showed early clinical improvement of 77% of patients (mean followup, 3.34 months). With repeated assessments later, the same group of patients had c linical improvement of 62% (mean followup, 30.9 months), Patients younger t han 50 years, individuals who underwent external neurolysis, or patients wh o had a previously failed subcutaneous transposition had fewer satisfactory results.