Endoscopic cubital tunnel release: a modified surgery and clinical application

Authors

  • Yinglu Zhao Department of Hand Surgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Hand Reconstruction, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Peripheral Nerve and Microsurgery, Shanghai, China; Institute of Hand Surgery, Shanghai, China
  • Jing Xu Department of Hand Surgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Hand Reconstruction, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Peripheral Nerve and Microsurgery, Shanghai, China; Institute of Hand Surgery, Shanghai, China
  • Jie Lao Department of Hand Surgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Hand Reconstruction, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Peripheral Nerve and Microsurgery, Shanghai, China; Institute of Hand Surgery, Shanghai, China
  • Jianyun Yang Department of Hand Surgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Hand Reconstruction, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Peripheral Nerve and Microsurgery, Shanghai, China; Institute of Hand Surgery, Shanghai, China https://orcid.org/0009-0009-2724-2281

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.2340/jphs.v61.45986

Keywords:

Cubital tunnel syndrome, endoscopy, transposition, ulnar nerve

Abstract

Background: Varied surgical alternatives for treating cubital tunnel syndromes have been used. A trend of endoscopic ulnar nerve release is emerging. The purpose of this study is to introduce a modified technique of endoscopic ulnar nerve decompression in association with anterior transposition of the ulnar nerve and to assess the feasibility and efficacy of the surgery.

Materials and Methods: We introduced a modified method of endoscopic release and subfascial anterior transposition of the ulnar nerve. The technique was applied to six patients who presented signs, symptoms, and abnormal neurophysiological studies of cubital tunnel syndrome. The patients were classified according to the Dellon classification preoperatively. The Bishop rating system was used to evaluate the postoperative outcomes. Trial registration number for the study is MR-31-25-090620.

Results: Preoperatively, all six patients were classified as severe according to the Dellon classification. The endoscopic cubital tunnel release and subfascial anterior ulnar nerve transposition surgeries were performed with no difficulty in all patients. All the patients had improvement in symptoms and scored excellent or good according to the modified Bishop Rating System postoperatively.

Conclusions: The modified endoscopic cubital tunnel release and subfascial anterior ulnar nerve transposition technique is technically feasible with satisfactory outcomes in six patients in this study.

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References

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Published

2026-05-12

How to Cite

Zhao, Y., Xu, J., Lao, J., & Yang, J. (2026). Endoscopic cubital tunnel release: a modified surgery and clinical application. Journal of Plastic Surgery and Hand Surgery, 61(1), 115–120. https://doi.org/10.2340/jphs.v61.45986

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Original Research Articles