Evidence map›Paper›PMID 36071568›Full record

ArticleJournal of Korean Neurosurgical Society2023

Location of Ulnar Nerve Branches to the Flexor Carpi Ulnaris during Surgery for Cubital Tunnel Syndrome.

Won Seok Lee, Hee-Jin Yang, Sung Bae Park, Young Je Son, Noah Hong, Sang Hyung Lee

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society, 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Posterior approaches for articular distal humeral fractures.European journal of orthopaedic surgery & traumatology : orthopedie traumatologie · 2025
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4 · The record

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PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Won Seok LeeDepartment of Neurosurgery, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Hee-Jin YangDepartment of Neurosurgery, Seoul National University Boramae Hospital, Seoul, Korea.
Sung Bae ParkDepartment of Neurosurgery, Seoul National University Boramae Hospital, Seoul, Korea.
Young Je SonDepartment of Neurosurgery, Seoul National University Boramae Hospital, Seoul, Korea.
Noah HongDepartment of Neurosurgery, Seoul National University Boramae Hospital, Seoul, Korea.
Sang Hyung LeeDepartment of Neurosurgery, Seoul National University Boramae Hospital, Seoul, Korea.

Funding

Seoul National University Boramae Hospital
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectiveCubital tunnel syndrome, the most common ulnar nerve entrapment neuropathy, is usually managed by simple decompression or anterior transposition. One of the concerns in transposition is damage to the nerve branches around the elbow. In this study, the location of ulnar nerve branches to the flexor carpi ulnaris (FCU) was assessed during operations for cubital tunnel syndrome to provide information to reduce operation-related complications.

methodsA personal series (HJY) of cases operated for cubital tunnel syndrome was reviewed. Cases managed by transposition and location of branches to the FCU were selected for analysis. The function of the branches was confirmed by intraoperative nerve stimulation and the location of the branches was assessed by the distance from the center of medial epicondyle.

resultsThere was a total of 61 cases of cubital tunnel syndrome, among which 31 were treated by transposition. Twenty-one cases with information on the location of branches were analyzed. The average number of ulnar nerve branches around the elbow was 1.8 (0 to 3), only one case showed no branches. Most of the cases had one branch to the medial head, and one other to the lateral head of the FCU. There were two cases having branches without FCU responses (one branch in one case, three branches in another). The location of the branches to the medial head was 16.3±8.6 mm distal to the medial epicondyle (16 branches; range, 0 to 35 mm), to the lateral head was 19.5±9.5 mm distal to the medial epicondyle (19 branches; range, -5 to 30 mm). Branches without FCU responses were found from 20 mm proximal to the medial condyle to 15 mm distal to the medial epicondyle (five branches). Most of the branches to the medial head were 15 to 20 mm (50% of cases), and most to the lateral head were 15 to 25 mm (58% of cases). There were no cases of discernable weakness of the FCU after operation.

conclusionIn most cases of cubital tunnel syndrome, there are ulnar nerve branches around the elbow. Although there might be some cases with branches without FCU responses, most branches are to the FCU, and are to be saved. The operator should be watchful for branches about 15 to 25 mm distal to the medial epicondyle, where most branches come out.

Indexed as

Anterior transpositionCubital tunnel syndromeFlexor carpi ulnarisUlnar nerve

Identifiers

PMID36071568
PMCPMC9837487

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.