Anterior transposition of ulnar nerve in leprosy.

The scientific meeting on Rehabilitation of the Disabled in Leprosy held at Vellore, Madras State, India, during November, 1 960 under the auspices of the W.H.O. recommended studies for further clinical research on peripheral nerves in general and ulnar nerve in particular. On the subject of clinical research on the ulnar nerve, the scientific session agreed ' that ulnar nerve transposition anterior to the medial epicon­ dyle and deep to the flexor mass , as far lateral as the median nerve, should be considered at the earliest sign of palpable enlargement of trunk, of pain, or of weakness . Where competent surgical help is not available, consideration should be given to simple unroofing of the olecranon groove or division of the tough fibrous band, crossing the nerve, where it leaves the olecranon groove. In the rare instances, where soli tary lesions appear in major ncrve trunks, consideration should be given to excision of the lesion as soon as i t is quiescent with end to end anastomosis . ' Mention may b e made o f other peripheral nerves commonly affected in leprosy like the mcdian, radial, lateral popliteal, posterior tibial and branches of the facial nerve. These nerves are not usually displaced . On the other hand, the ulnar nerve is transferred to a new anatomical bed . This is a distinguishing feature characteristic of ulnar nerve surgery and is manda tory. Common to most of the sites of involvement in peripheral nerves are :