Ulnar neuropathy in surgical patients.

BACKGROUND: The goal of this project was to study the frequency and natural history of perioperative ulnar neuropathy.

METHODS: A prospective evaluation of ulnar neuropathy in 1,502 adult patients undergoing noncardiac surgical procedures was performed. Patients were assessed with a standard questionnaire and neurologic examination before surgery, daily during hospitalization in the first week after surgery, and by telephone if they were discharged before 1 postoperative week. Patients in whom ulnar neuropathy developed were followed for 2 yr.

RESULTS: Ulnar neuropathy developed in seven patients (0.5%; 95% confidence interval, 0.2% to 1.0%). Six of the seven patients were men. Symptoms of ulnar neuropathy began 2-7 days after surgery. Manifestations were mild and confined to sensory deficits in six patients. Symptoms resolved in four patients within 6 weeks. The remaining three patients had residual symptoms 2 yr later.

CONCLUSIONS: In this surgical population, ulnar neuropathy was an infrequent complication. It occurred primarily in men who were 50-75 yr old and was not symptomatic until several days after surgery. Gender-dependent differences in the anatomy of the ulnar nerve and related structures at the elbow may serve as risk factors for ulnar neuropathy in patients having surgery.