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Submuscular transposition (SMT) of the ulnar nerve is frequently performed as secondary procedure in patients with persistent or recurrent cubital tunnel syndrome (CuTS) despite previous surgery. Good results have been reported for this surgical strategy, but mainly in small retrospective case series. The goal of the present study is therefore to analyze the results prospectively using a patient-reported outcome measure (PROM): patient-rated ulnar nerve evaluation (PRUNE). SMT of the ulnar nerve was performed in 30 consecutive patients who were referred because of persistent or recurrent CuTS despite previous surgery. Objective outcome was measured in the outpatient clinic using the Likert scale. The PRUNE questionnaire was obtained pre-operatively, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months after the surgery. Simultaneously, 20 patients with primary surgery for CuTS, that underwent simple decompression, were followed. Good outcome (Likert 1 or 2) was obtained in 67% after SMT for persistent/recurrent CuTS and 85% after decompression as primary surgical treatment. PRUNE scores were significantly decreased in both groups at all follow-up moments after surgery compared with pre-operative for the total questionnaire and subscales "pain," "sensory/motor symptoms," and "specific activities." In both groups, PRUNE score remained stable until 12 months of follow-up. This prospective study confirms previous results from retrospective studies showing that SMT is an effective surgical option for persistent or recurrent CuTS. Prospective (randomized controlled) trials are needed to compare the effectiveness of SMT to the surgical alternative of subcutaneous transposition of the ulnar nerve. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Processed nerve allografts are used increasingly in the treatment of traumatic neuroma in small sensory nerves. The goal of the present study was to investigate the use of an allograft after different intervals between injury and repair and to analyze results, not only for the success of pain relief, but also for potential recovery of sensation in time. Four patients with painful neuroma in small sensory nerves in the lower extremity were surgically treated with a decellularized allograft. Patients were followed prospectively for at least 1 y. Clinical outcome was assessed using the Likert scale. Recovery of sensation was tested using Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments. In all 4 cases an allograft of 3-cm was used to reconstruct a defect in the superficial peroneal (3) or sural nerve (1) after excision of the neuroma. Complete relief of pain symptoms was achieved in 2 patients: 1 case concerned the reconstruction of a neuroma with an interval of less than 1 y between injury and repair and 1 case a neuroma-in-continuity. Sensation recovered completely in these 2 cases. In the other 2 cases, that had an interval between injury and reconstruction of more than 1 y, there was neither successful pain relief nor recovery of sensation. This prospective study shows that processed nerve allografts can be successful for the reconstruction of small sensory nerves after excision of the traumatic neuroma both for recovery of pain and sensation, but in this small case series only if the interval between injury and reconstruction was <1 y. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]