Early postoperative electroneuromyographic changes of compression neuropathies patients

There are no certain data in the world literature indicating the timing of exactly when, after performing decompression and neurolysis in patients with tunnel compression neuropathies of the median and ulnar nerves, the performance of stimulation EMG is informative for analysis the results of surgical treatment.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY. To determine the timing of stimulation EMG is informative for assessing the results of surgical treatment in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome and in patients with cubital tunnel syndrome.

MATERIALS AND METHODS. The results of surgical treatment of 31 patients with carpal tunnel syndrome and with cubital tunnel syndrome were analyzed in N.V. Sklifosovsky Research Institute for Emergency medicine. The analysis was carried out using the DASH, VAS, and Boston Quality of Life Questionnaires. Further, the obtained parameters were compared with the data of stimulation EMG performed on the 5th day after the operation, and compared with the preoperative data of scales, questionnaires, and the results of stimulation EMG.

CONCLUSIONS. Stimulation EMG to assess the results of surgical treatment on the 5th day after decompression and neurolysis of the median or ulnar nerve is inappropriate, despite the improvement in the quality of life of patients and a decrease in the level of pain, since soft tissue edema in the area of surgical intervention may persist, which significantly reduces the information content of the data obtained with stimulation EMG.

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