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Medial Antebrachial Cutaneous Nerve Sparing Approach to Ulnar Nerve
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ABSTRACT
A medial antibrachial cutaneous nerve sparing approach was used for ulnar nerve surgery at the elbow between January 1996 and December 1997. This posterior approach raises a medial flap that circumvents the olecranon around the lateral side and contains the posterior branches of the medial antibrachial cutaneous nerves in it. Injury to this nerve is prevented.
Fifty submuscular ulnar nerve transpositions were performed in over 2 years. Telephone interviews were conducted for all 50 patients. Only 44 of 50 patients returned to the clinic for final follow-up evaluation of the following modalities: sensation over the olecranon, operative time, wound complications, elbow range of motion, grip strength, and return to previous employment. Average follow-up was 3 years.
Three wound hematomas occurred. Average operative time was 54 minutes. At 6 months postoperatively, strength had returned to normal in 39 of 44 patients; at 1 year, all patients had normal strength. Range of motion was normal in all 44 patients. Five of 50 patients did not return to their previous employment.
This medial antibrachial cutaneous nerve sparing approach to the ulnar nerve at the elbow exposes the ulnar nerve quickly and safely and avoids major complications in this common ulnar nerve procedure.