Treatment of recurrent compressive neuropathy of peripheral nerves in the upper extremity with an autologous vein insulator.

The treatment of entrapment neuropathy in the upper extremity with surgical decompression has generally provided good results. Recurrence of symptoms, however, is not uncommon and its management is both challenging and difficult. Nineteen patients with recurrent carpal tunnel and cubital tunnel syndrome were treated with the vein wrapping technique using the autogenous saphenous vein. The average number of surgeries before vein wrapping was 3.3. The mean patient age was 53 years (range, 28-75 years) and the mean follow-up period was 43 months (range, 24-78 months). All patients reported reduction in pain and the sensory disturbances secondary to the compression of the median or ulnar nerve. Two-point discrimination and electrodiagnostic findings also improved.