Arthroscopic Outerbridge-Kashiwagi Procedure with Endoscopic Cubital Tunnel Release: Comparison with Arthroscopic Osteocapsular Arthroplasty with Open Cubital Tunnel Release

Abstract Objective The purpose of this study was to compare and analyze the clinical outcomes of arthroscopic osteocapsular arthroplasty with open cubital tunnel release and arthroscopic OK procedure with endoscopic cubital tunnel release. Methods The study conducted a retrospective comparative analysis of 52 cases who underwent arthroscopic elbow surgery due to elbow joint osteoarthritis. The patients were followed up for more than 1 year for observation and comparison of outcomes. Among them, the initial 35 cases underwent arthroscopic osteocapsular arthroplasty with open cubital tunnel release, while the subsequent 17 cases underwent the arthroscopic OK procedure with endoscopic cubital tunnel release. Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS), Visual Analog Scale (VAS) pain scores, and range of motion (ROM). Complications such as transient nerve injury, heterotopic ossification, infection, and recurrence of stiffness were also confirmed. Results There was a statistically significant difference in the mean surgical time between the osteocapsular arthroplasty group (101.3 ± 34.2 min) and the arthroscopic OK procedure group (75.6 ± 27.9 min, p < 0.0001). However, there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in these outcome measures. After surgery, there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of complications, including transient nerve injury, heterotopic ossification, infection, and recurrence of stiffness. Conclusion The Arthroscopic OK procedure with endoscopic cubital tunnel release were able to reduce surgical time when compared to Arthroscopic osteocapsular arthroplasty with open cubital tunnel release.