Comparative outcomes of in situ decompression and anterior transposition in McGowan stages II-III of cubital tunnel syndrome

Aims: The purpose of this study was to retrospectively compare clinical and functional outcomes of subcutaneous anterior transposition and in situ decompression performed in similar patient groups diagnosed with McGowan Stages II and III cubital tunnel syndrome. Patients and methods: Patients operated on with the diagnosis of idiopathic cubital tunnel syndrome in two different centers between January 2006 and January 2011 were retrospectively evaluated. Anterior subcutaneous transposition group consisted of 15 patients (mean age 41,3, mean followup 34,6 months), in situ decompression group consisted of 16 patients (meanage 46,1, meanfollowup 13,5). Eleven patients were McGowan stage 3 and four patients were stage 2 in anterior transposition group. Eleven patients were stage 3 and five patients were stage 2 in decompression group. Postoperative clinical results were evaluated according to the modified Bishop and Akahori functional evaluation system. Quick DASH questionnaire completed to all patients at the final control. Results: There were no significant difference between two groups according to clinical outcomes and Quick DASH scores. According to Akahori classification good and excellent results were obtained in 12 out of 15 patients in anterior transposition group and 11 out of 16 patients in decompression group. We found a strong statistical correlation between Bishop and Quick DASH scores. (p