Patient-Reported Outcome Measures After Endoscopic Cubital Tunnel Release With At Least 1-Year Postoperative Follow-up

Abstract

Background: The primary objective of this study was to investigate midterm outcomes following endoscopic cubital tunnel release (ECuTR) with the Seg-Way system using patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). A secondary aim was to evaluate symptom resolution as assessed through Dellon’s stage, McGowan’s grade, and Messina’s criteria and recurrence following ECuTR. Methods: Functional outcomes were assessed in 38 patients who underwent 43 surgeries. Details on baseline characteristics as well as preoperative and postoperative symptoms were collected. Patient-reported outcome measures were administered with at least 1-year follow-up in all patients. Results: Mean age of patients was 50.2 ± 16.1 years, with 20 men (52.6%) and 18 women (47.4%). Postoperatively, pain completely resolved in 21 (72.4%), while sensory and motor deficits improved completely in 22 (56.4%) and 11 (64.7%) patients, respectively. Mean time interval between ECuTR and PROMs was 26.3 (13-63) months. Median Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire score was 73.2 (48-91). Median Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) and Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) scores were 12.9 (7-35) and 2.5 (0-5), respectively. Most of the patients were satisfied postoperatively with a median satisfaction score of 4 (3-5). There was a significant difference in median DASH and NRS scores between patients with and without concomitant proximal nerve disease. Conclusion: Endoscopic cubital tunnel release is a safe and effective option for surgical management of primary cubital tunnel syndrome. The presence of other proximal nerve disease is associated with poorer outcomes, less symptom resolution, and higher recurrence rates. One-year postoperative PROMs show equivalence to those reported in other studies following open cubital tunnel release.