A novel local adipofascial flap for the management of recalcitrant ulnar tunnel syndrome

Evaluation of Different Surgical Techniques for Revision Cubital Tunnel Release: A Meta-Analysis of Patient-Reported Symptoms

PURPOSE

Controversy exists regarding the best option for revision surgery in refractory cubital tunnel syndrome (CuTS). The purpose of this systematic review was to evaluate the effectiveness of revision surgery and determine the optimal surgical approach for patients requiring revision surgery for CuTS.

METHODS

A literature search was conducted. Characteristics of the included studies were summarized descriptively. The risk ratio between patient-reported preoperative and postoperative outcomes relating to pain, motor, and sensory deficits was calculated. A meta-regression analysis was performed to evaluate the postoperative symptom improvements based on the type of secondary surgery. Random-effects meta-analysis and descriptive statistics were used when appropriate.

RESULTS

A total of 471 patients were evaluated in 20 studies. In total, 254 (53.9%) male and 217 (46.1%) female patients, with an average age of 49.2 ± 14.1 years, were included in this study. Pain was the most common symptom (n = 346, 81.6%), followed by sensory and motor dysfunction in 342 (80.6%) and 223 (52.6%) patients, respectively. Meta-analysis comparing preoperative and postoperative symptoms between patients who had submuscular transposition (SMT), subcutaneous transposition (SCT), and neurolysis showed that a significant subgroup difference exists between the types of revision surgery in sensory and motor improvements. Meta-regression showed that SMT was associated with better outcomes compared with SCT in motor and sensory improvements.

CONCLUSIONS

Revision surgery for CuTS can be useful for addressing recurrent and persistent symptoms. Compared with neurolysis and SCT, SMT seems to be the superior option for revision surgery, demonstrating substantial improvement in all symptom domains.

TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic IV.

Ulnar nerve anteposition with adipofascial flap, an alternative treatment for severe cubital syndrome

BACKGROUND

Ulnar nerve entrapment at the elbow is the second most common cause of nerve entrapment in the upper limb. Surgical techniques mainly include simple decompression, decompression with anterior transposition and medial epicondylectomy.

METHODS

We performed decompression with anterior transposition and protected ulnar nerve by adipofascial flap (a random flap with radial based vascularization, harvested through the avascular plane of Scarpa's fascia. We analyzed patients who underwent ulnar nerve ante-position from 2015 to 2022 according to inclusion and exclusion criteria for a total of 57 patients. All patients included were graded on the McGowan's classification Messina criteria and the British Medical Research Council modified by Mackinnon and Dellon.

RESULTS

The average McGowan's score was 2.4 (± 0.6), Messina's criteria 91.2% indicated a satisfactory or excellent result, sensibility at 6 months was 98.5% S3 or more. A preferential technique has not yet been defined.

CONCLUSIONS

The adipofascial flap offers numerous advantages in providing a pliable, vascular fat envelope, which mimics the natural fatty environment of peripheral nerves and creates favorable micro-environmental conditions to contribute to neural regeneration via axon outgrowth.

Recalcitrant Neuropathies in the Upper Extremity

Carpal and cubital tunnel syndrome can cause debilitating pain and weakness in the hand and upper extremities. Although most patients have a resolution of their symptoms after primary decompression, managing those with recalcitrant neuropathies is challenging. The etiology of persistent, recurrent, or new symptoms is not always clear and requires careful attention to the history and physical examination to confirm the diagnosis or consider other causes prior to committing to surgery. Nevertheless, revision surgery is often needed in the setting of recalcitrant neuropathies in order to improve patients' symptoms. Revision surgery typically entails wide exposure and neurolysis to release residual compression. In addition, vascularized tissue and nerve wraps have been routinely used to create a favorable perineural environment that decreases recurrent scar formation. This review discusses the etiologies of recalcitrant upper extremity neuropathies, the current treatment options, and surgical outcomes.