02116nas a2200265 4500000000100000008004100001653002800042653001800070653003000088653001600118100001500134700001400149700001500163700001400178700001600192700001600208700005400224700005300278700005400331700004100385245011200426856006800538490000700606520123700613 2017 d10aCubital tunnel syndrome10aDecompression10aLeprosy Peripheral nerves10aUlnar nerve1 aAcioly M A1 aSoares AM1 aAlmeida ML1 aBarbosa R1 aDaxbacher E1 aCarvalho CH1 aUniversidade Estadual do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil 1 aUniversidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil 1 aUniversidade Estadual do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil 1 aSchwarzwald Baar Klinikum, Germany 00aModified simple decompression in the treatment of cubital tunnel syndrome: avoiding ulnar nerve subluxation uhttp://www.scielo.br/pdf/anp/v75n4/0004-282X-anp-75-04-0238.pdf0 v753 a

Objective

In this study, we propose a modification to the simple decompression technique that contains the ulnar nerve in the cubital fossa, thus preventing subluxation during forearm flexion movements.

Methods

Five consecutive patients with leprosy-associated cubital tunnel syndrome underwent surgery with the modified technique between July 2011 and October 2012

Results

The most common symptoms were neuropathic pain and sensory changes (both 60%). On the McGowan scale, three patients maintained their preoperative score and two patients improved by two points, while on the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center scale, two patients maintained the same scores, two improved by two points, and one improved by one point. Four patients were able to discontinue corticosteroid use. The mean follow-up time was 25.6 months (range 2-48 months). There were no recurrences or subluxations in the long-term.

Conclusion

This alternative technique resulted in excellent functional results, as well as successful withdrawal from corticosteroids. Furthermore, it resulted in no ulnar nerve subluxations.