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J Reconstr Microsurg 2000; Volume 16(Number 4): 273-278
DOI: 10.1055/s-2000-7333
Copyright © 2000 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc., 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA. Tel.: +1(212) 584-4662

RECALCITRANT POST-SURGICAL NEUROPATHY OF THE ULNAR NERVE AT THE ELBOW: TREATMENT WITH AUTOGENOUS SAPHENOUS VEIN WRAPPING

Sokratis E. Varitimidis, Felix Riano, Dean G. Sotereanos
  • Department of Orthopaedics, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pennsylvania
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Publication History

Publication Date:
31 December 2000 (online)

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ABSTRACT

Surgical decompression or transposition is generally efficacious for cubital tunnel syndrome. However, recurrence is not rare and its management is both challenging and difficult. Four patients with refractory cubital tunnel syndrome were operated on with the vein-wrapping technique, using the autologous saphenous vein. A total of 16 operative procedures were performed on these patients prior to wrapping the ulnar nerve with a saphenous vein graft. The mean patient age was 43 years (range: 30 to 54 years) and the mean follow-up was 34 months (range: 24 to 44 months). All patients reported significant pain relief and improvement in sensation. Two-point discrimination and EMG findings also improved. This is the first study reporting long-term results of the vein-wrapping technique for the treatment of recalcitrant cubital tunnel syndrome.

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