The effect of surgical dissection on regional blood flow to the ulnar nerve in the cubital tunnel.

Regional blood flow to the ulnar nerve within the cubital tunnel of nonhuman primates was determined before and after surgical dissection by use of the hydrogen washout technique. The results indicate that anterior transposition is associated with a significant decrease in regional blood flow to the ulnar nerve for a period of at least three days. This relative ischemia was not noted following arcuate ligament incision or after medial humeral epicondylectomy. Vascular injection studies showed an abundant extrinsic arterial supply to the ulnar nerve, especially just distal to the groove that was apparently compromised during the anterior transposition.