Endoscopic Cubital Tunnel Release

Moderate and severe cases of cubital tunnel syndrome (ulnar nerve compression at the elbow) are often treated surgically. Mild cases may be offered non-operative treatment.

Endoscopic Cubital Tunnel Release is a “Key Hole” Technique which allows decompression of the ulnar nerve from mid arm to mid forearm via a small 2-3 cm incision. This technique allows a complete release of the ulnar nerve without a large incision. At the GC CTC sometimes a transposition of the ulnar nerve is performed but this technique may devascularise the nerve, so transposition is used as a last resort or revision procedure in our clinic.

The procedure is performed under regional or local anaesthesia.

Endoscopic instruments allow a “minimally invasive” or “key hole” cubital tunnel release to be performed.

The speculum, optical dissector and endoscope (telescope) pictured above allow a magnified view of the release of the ulnar nerve along it’s entire course from mid arm to mid forearm, allowing a “complete” and safe decompression via a minimal incision.

Once the procedure is complete, bleeding is controlled or a drain is placed into the wound. The drain is either removed before discharge or the following day in the rooms.

The minimally invasive or “key hole” surgery approach allows full release of the the Ulnar Nerve without a long incision.