Anterior transposition for advanced ulnar neuropathy at the elbow.

Previous studies have shown good clinical results after anterior transposition of the ulnar nerve for compression neuropathy. However, it has been suggested that younger patients with a shorter duration of preoperative symptoms benefit most from surgical therapy. To determine what factors adversely affect the prognosis in patients with advanced disease, 23 of 24 anterior transpositions performed consecutively over 6 years were observed at a mean of 33.2 months. The mean age was 52.1 years. Symptoms were present for a mean of 11.3 months. Before the operation, 30% were graded moderate and 70% severe. After the operation, 70% of the patients improved, with 40% having a good result and 30% fair. Advanced age, duration of preoperative symptoms, diabetes, hypertension, alcoholism, etiology, type of transposition, tourniquet time, or atrophy did not predict a poor outcome. Severe clinical findings confirmed by electrophysiologic studies did not contraindicate surgery or preclude a reasonable rate of success in this small but relatively homogeneous group of patients.