Endoscopic decompression of the ulnar nerve in the cubital tunnel yields similar outcomes but a lower complication rate than open decompression: a systematic review and meta-analysis

• Published in: Journal of ISAKOS 2017-01, Vol.2 (1), p.8
• Main Authors: Sochacki, Kyle R, Bernstein, Derek T, Harris, Joshua D, Liberman, Shari R
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 2059-7754; 2059-7762
• DOI: 10.1136/jisakos-2016-000112

ImportanceCubital tunnel syndrome is the second most common peripheral nerve compression syndrome in the USA. There is controversy in the literature regarding the best surgical option.ObjectiveThe purpose of this investigation was to perform a systematic review to determine if there is a difference in clinical outcomes or complications between open and endoscopic cubital tunnel release in patients with compression of the ulnar nerve in the cubital tunnel.Evidence reviewA systematic review was registered with PROSPERO and performed using PRISMA guidelines. PubMed, SCOPUS and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases were searched for level I–IV therapeutic comparative studies of open versus endoscopic cubital tunnel decompression in adult human patients. The levels of evidence were then assigned based on the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine. Study methodological quality was analysed using the Modified Coleman Methodology Score. Only the outcome measurements that 3 or more studies used were included in our data synthesis. Postoperative patient satisfaction, Bishop score, recurrence and complication rates were compared between the endoscopic and open groups using the χ2 test using p