Abstract
BACKGROUND: Compare the recurrence rate of paresthesias in patients undergoing primary cubital tunnel surgery in those with and without wrapping of the ulnar nerve with the human amniotic membrane (HAM). METHODS: A retrospective investigation of patients undergoing primary cubital tunnel surgery with a minimum 90-day follow-up was performed. Patients were excluded if the nerve was wrapped using another material, associated traumatic injury, simultaneous Guyon's canal release, or revision procedures. Failure was defined as those patients who experienced initial complete resolution of symptoms (paresthesias) but then developed recurrence of paresthesias. RESULTS: A total of 57 controls (CON) and 21 treated with HAM met our inclusion criteria. There was a difference in the mean age of CON (48.4 ± 13.5 years) and HAM (30.6 ± 15) (P< 0.0001). There was no difference in gender mix (P=0.4), the severity of symptoms (P=0.13), and length of follow-up (P=0.084). None of 21 (0%) treated with HAM developed recurrence of symptoms compared to 11 of 57 (19.3%) (P=0.03) (CON). Using a multivariate regression model adjusted for age and procedure type, CON was 24.4 (95% CI=1.26-500, P=0.0348) times higher risk than HAM of developing a recurrence of symptoms. CONCLUSION: The HAM wrapping used in primary cubital tunnel surgery significantly reduced recurrence rates of paresthesias. Further prospective studies with randomization should be carried out to better understand the role HAM can play in cubital tunnel surgery.