Cubital tunnel syndrome: a comparison of an endoscopic technique with a minimal invasive open technique.

Both open and endoscopic methods for ulnar nerve decompression have been described. The purpose of this study is to compare the 6-month results of a minimal invasive open technique with an endoscopic technique. We treated 60 patients with unilateral ulnar neuropathy at the elbow, employing both techniques. Six months postoperative we found no differences in treatment effect on pain and disability scores between both groups, but both techniques resulted in an early postoperative relief of symptoms and good patient satisfaction.

Radial tunnel syndrome: emphasis on the superficial branch of the radial nerve.

Reported success rates for decompressing the radial nerve in patients with radial tunnel syndrome vary between 10 and 95%. The combined treatment, releasing both the posterior interosseous nerve and the superficial branch of the radial nerve, has been described only three times, but seems to show more consistent success rates compared with releasing the posterior interosseous nerve alone. We present the results of decompressing the superficial branch of the radial nerve only, the anatomical basis for this approach and a description of the surgical technique. Our results are comparable to the results of the combined treatment. Eleven of 12 patients were satisfied with the results of the operation. This study indicates that pain in patients with radial tunnel syndrome may be treated successfully by surgical decompression of the superficial branch of the radial nerve.