Ulnar nerve decompression in the cubital canal using local anaesthesia.

We assessed the outcome of surgical release of the ulnar nerve in the cubital canal under local anaesthetic. Seven of the 20 patients reported complete resolution of their preoperative symptoms. Eleven reported significant improvement immediately following surgery and some continuing improvement thereafter. One patient had no significant benefit, and one had complete resolution, but then his symptoms returned. Sixteen patients stated that they would choose to have the operation performed under local anaesthesia again, but four would have favoured a general anaesthetic. We conclude that decompression of the ulnar nerve under local anaesthetic is a reliable procedure, which is well tolerated by the majority of patients. Copyright 2001 The British Society for Surgery of the Hand.