Surgical Demographics of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Cubital Tunnel Syndrome Over 5 Years at a Single Institution

Abstract

Purpose: Carpal tunnel and cubital tunnel syndrome are the 2 most common upper-limb compressive neuropathies. However, whether the characteristics of patient populations undergoing surgery for these conditions are similar is unclear in terms of demographics and concomitant pathologies. Our null hypothesis was that there are no identifiable differences between these patient populations.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed by billing system query using Common Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes for all patients who underwent open carpal tunnel release (CTR) (CPT code 64721) and/or open cubital tunnel surgery (CPT code 64718) by 1 of 4 hand surgeons from August 2008 to July 2013. Application of exclusion criteria of acute trauma, revision surgery, neoplasm, age less than 18 years, and inaccurate or insufficient records resulted in identification of 1,114 patients who underwent CTR, 264 patients who underwent cubital tunnel surgery, and 76 patients who underwent both. Computerized medical records were analyzed for demographic variables, medical comorbidities, and other procedures performed under the same anesthetic.

Results: In the multivariable analysis, older age, female sex, higher body mass index, trigger finger, and de Quervain tenosynovitis were associated with CTR. Prior trauma to the anatomic site was more common in the cubital tunnel group. Diabetes mellitus was associated with patients who had both procedures.

Conclusions: The populations of patients who undergo surgery for different upper-extremity compressive neuropathies are not homogenous: CTR is associated with older age, female sex, higher body mass index, and hand tendinopathies. Cubital tunnel decompression is associated with prior trauma to the anatomic site. Diabetic patients are more likely to have both procedures. Diabetic patients undergoing either procedure should be evaluated for other peripheral nerve compression pathologies.

Type of study/level of evidence: Diagnostic IV.

Keywords: Carpal tunnel syndrome; carpal tunnel release; cubital tunnel release; cubital tunnel syndrome; demographics.