Revision Rare After Cubital Tunnel Release, But Risks Exist
Many surgeons don't care for big-database studies, but here's one that can help with patient counseling and risk assessment
What’s the Claim?
A robust, large-database study found that revision surgery following cubital tunnel release occurred in only 0.7% of patients within 3 years of the index procedure. This rate is lower than previously believed. The study also identified several factors were associated with increases in that risk. The biggies were simultaneous bilateral surgery (with an odds ratio of over 12), use of submuscular transposition (with an odds ratio of nearly 3 and the best-case estimate from the 95% CI still showing a 35% increase in odds of revision), workers compensation insurance, and decreasing age (about a 20% increase in odds of revision per decade).
