The Journal of hand surgery, European volume
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J Hand Surg Eur Vol · Jun 2009
Incidence of re-operation and subjective outcome following in situ decompression of the ulnar nerve at the cubital tunnel.
The purpose of this investigation was to determine the failure rate of in situ decompression for cubital tunnel syndrome as determined by the need for additional surgery. We performed a comprehensive chart review of 56 adult patients who had undergone in situ decompression for cubital tunnel syndrome in 69 extremities with more than 1 year follow-up. The patients completed a comprehensive questionnaire concerning preoperative and postoperative pain, numbness, and weakness. ⋯ Five limbs (7%) with persistent symptoms postoperatively were treated successfully with anterior submuscular transposition. These data suggest that in situ decompression of the ulnar nerve is a reliable treatment for cubital tunnel syndrome and has a low failure rate. The uncommon patient with continued symptoms after decompression can be treated effectively with transposition of the ulnar nerve.
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J Hand Surg Eur Vol · Jun 2009
Flexor tendon repair in zone 2 using a six-strand 'figure of eight' suture.
The tensile strength of three different flexor tendon repair techniques were tested in vitro: the modified Kessler technique (a two-strand repair), two 'figure of eight' sutures (a four-strand repair) and three 'figure of eight' sutures (a six-strand repair). The mean breaking forces for the three techniques were 48.0 N, 73.1 N and 93.3 N, respectively, and the differences were highly significant (p < 0.0001). ⋯ One repair (2%) ruptured. In the remaining 49 repairs, the result was considered excellent in 39 (78%) and good in 10 (20%) using the Strickland and Glogovac grading system.