Thirty patients who had a revision of a failed decompression of the
ulnar nerve at the elbow were followed for a minimum of two years
postoperatively. Most of the decompressions were revised by submuscular
transposition of the nerve. A satisfactory result was obtained in all but
eight patients. At the index procedure, the nerve was found to be
compressed at several levels (average, 2.2 levels). For a reoperation to be
successful, the ulnar nerve must be examined and all potential levels of
compression must be released. An age of more than fifty years,
electromyographic evidence of denervation, and previous submuscular
transposition were associated with a poor outcome in this series.