Charles-Édouard Thélu

Arthroscopic Bankart-Bristow-Latarjet Procedure: The Development and Early Results of a Safe and Reproducible Technique

PURPOSE To evaluate the reproducibility and safety of a novel arthroscopic technique combining a Bristow-Latarjet procedure with a Bankart repair and to report the early clinical and radiologic results. METHODS Forty-seven consecutive patients with glenoid bone loss and capsular deficiency were treated with this all-arthroscopic technique; six patients had a failed arthroscopic capsulolabral repair. The coracoid fragment was osteotomized, passed with the conjoined tendon through the subscapularis muscle, and fixed in the standing position with a cannulated screw on the abraded glenoid neck. The capsule and labrum were then reattached on the glenoid rim, leaving the coracoid bone block in an extra-articular position. Potential intraoperative and postoperative complications were recorded. All patients were reviewed and had postoperative radiographs; 35 had computed tomography scans. RESULTS The procedure was performed entirely arthroscopically in 41 of 47 patients (88%); a conversion to open surgery was needed in 6 patients (12%). The axillary nerve was identified in all cases, and no neurologic injuries were observed. No patient had any recurrence of instability at the most recent follow-up (mean, 16 months). The mean Rowe score was 88 ± 16.7, and the mean Walch-Duplay score was 87.6 ± 12.9. The Subjective Shoulder Value was 87.5% ± 12.7%. The bone block was subequatorial in 98% of the cases (46 of 47) and flush to the glenoid surface in 92% (43 of 47); it was too lateral in 1 (2%) and too medial (>5 mm) in 3 (6%). There was 1 bone block fracture and 7 migrations. CONCLUSIONS The arthroscopic Bristow-Latarjet-Bankart procedure is reproducible and safe. This procedure allows restoration of shoulder stability in patients with glenoid bone loss and capsular deficiency, as well as in the case of failed capsulolabral repair. Arthroscopy offers the advantage of providing adequate visualization of both the glenohumeral joint and the anterior neck of the scapula, allowing accurate placement of the bone block and screw. Surgeons should be aware that the procedure is technically difficult and potentially dangerous because of the proximity of the brachial plexus and axillary vessels. Training on cadaveric specimens and transition from open to mini-open and, finally, to all arthroscopic is recommended. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Level IV, therapeutic case series.

Arthroscopic Bristow-Latarjet Combined With Bankart Repair Restores Shoulder Stability in Patients With Glenoid Bone Loss

BackgroundArthroscopic Bankart repair alone cannot restore shoulder stability in patients with glenoid bone loss involving more than 20% of the glenoid surface. Coracoid transposition to prevent recurrent shoulder dislocation according to Bristow-Latarjet is an efficient but controversial procedure.Questions/purposesWe determined whether an arthroscopic Bristow-Latarjet procedure with concomitant Bankart repair (1) restored shoulder stability in this selected subgroup of patients, (2) without decreasing mobility, and (3) allowed patients to return to sports at preinjury level. We also evaluated (4) bone block positioning, healing, and arthritis and (5) risk factors for nonunion and coracoid screw pullout.MethodsBetween July 2007 and August 2010, 79 patients with recurrent anterior instability and bone loss of more than 20% of the glenoid underwent arthroscopic Bristow-Latarjet-Bankart repair; nine patients (11%) were either lost before 2-year followup or had incomplete data, leaving 70 patients available at a mean of 35 months. Postoperative radiographs and CT scans were evaluated for bone block positioning, healing, and arthritis. Any postoperative dislocation or any subjective complaint of occasional to frequent subluxation was considered a failure. Physical examination included ROM in both shoulders to enable comparison and instability signs (apprehension and relocation tests). Rowe and Walch-Duplay scores were obtained at each review. Patients were asked whether they were able to return to sports at the same level and practice forced overhead sports. Potential risk factors for nonhealing were assessed.ResultsAt latest followup, 69 of 70 (98%) patients had a stable shoulder, external rotation with arm at the side was 9° less than the nonoperated side, and 58 (83%) returned to sports at preinjury level. On latest radiographs, 64 (91%) had no osteoarthritis, and bone block positioning was accurate, with 63 (90%) being below the equator and 65 (93%) flush to the glenoid surface. The coracoid graft healed in 51 (73%), it failed to unite in 14 (20%), and graft osteolysis was seen in five (7%). Bone block nonunion/migration did not compromise shoulder stability but was associated with persistent apprehension and less return to sports. Use of screws that were too short or overangulated, smoking, and age higher than 35 years were risk factors for nonunion.ConclusionsThe arthroscopic Bristow-Latarjet procedure combined with Bankart repair for anterior instability with severe glenoid bone loss restored shoulder stability, maintained ROM, allowed return to sports at preinjury level, and had a low likelihood of arthritis. Adequate healing of the transferred coracoid process to the glenoid neck is an important factor for avoiding persistent anterior apprehension.Level of EvidenceLevel IV, therapeutic study. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

A guided surgical approach and novel fixation method for arthroscopic Latarjet.

BACKGROUND Most of the complications of the Latarjet procedure are related to the bone block positioning and use of screws. The purpose of this study was to evaluate if an arthroscopic Latarjet guiding system improves accuracy of bone block positioning and if suture button fixation could be an alternative to screw fixation in allowing bone block healing and avoiding complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS Seventy-six patients (mean age, 27 years) underwent an arthroscopic Latarjet procedure with a guided surgical approach and suture button fixation. Bone graft union and positioning accuracy were assessed by postoperative computed tomography imaging. Clinical examinations were performed at each visit. RESULTS At a mean of 14 months (range, 6-24 months) postoperatively, 75 of 76 patients had a stable shoulder. No neurologic complications were observed; no patients have required further surgery. The coracoid graft was positioned strictly tangential to the glenoid surface in 96% of the cases and below the equator in 93%. The coracoid graft healed in 69 patients (91%). CONCLUSIONS A guided surgical approach optimizes graft positioning accuracy. Suture button fixation can be an alternative to screw fixation, obtaining an excellent rate of bone union. Neurologic and hardware complications, classically reported with screw fixation, have not been observed with this guided technique and novel fixation method.

Arthroscopic repair of the rotator cuff: prospective study of tendon healing after 70 years of age in 145 patients.

INTRODUCTION The level of activity of patients older than 70 years is tending to increase, as are their expectations in terms of joint function recuperation. It has not been proven that rotator cuff repair healing is satisfactory in the elderly. The main hypothesis of this study was: repair of supraspinous lesions in patients older than 70 years is reliable in terms of both clinical results and healing. The secondary hypothesis was: tendon healing is significantly correlated with the Constant, ASES, and SST scores as well as with age, tendon retraction, and fatty infiltration. MATERIAL AND METHODS Multicenter prospective study on 145 patients older than 70 years, with 135 patients reviewed at 1 year (93%). The mean age was 73.9 years. Full-thickness tears of the supraspinatus extended at most to the upper third of the infraspinatus and retraction limited to Patte stages 1 and 2 were included. Clinical assessment was carried out in accordance with the Constant, ASES, and SST scores. Healing was evaluated with ultrasound. RESULTS A significant improvement was noted in the Constant (44/76)+31.5 (P<0.0001), ASES (35/90)+54.4 (P<0.0001), and SST (3.5/10)+6.6 (P>0.0001) scores at 1 year of follow-up. The healing rate was 89% with 15 re-tears, nine of which were stage 1 and six stage 2. The clinical result was not correlated with patient age (Constant, P=0.24; ASES, P=0.38; SST, P=0.83) nor with the retraction stage (Constant, P=0.71; ASES, P=0.35; SST, P=0.69) or the stage of fatty infiltration (P>0.7). Healing was correlated with the quality of the clinical result (Constant, P=0.02; ASES, P=0.03) and age (P=0.01) but was not correlated with retraction or the fatty infiltration stage (P>0.3). DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION Arthroscopic repair significantly improves the clinical results, even in patients older than 70 years. The clinical results are not correlated with age (but deterioration of the result was not noted after 75 years) or frontal retraction (but the study only included retractions limited to stages 1 and 2). The healing rate is satisfactory, but this study is limited to small ruptures of the supraspinatus, and the postoperative ultrasound analysis probably inferior to CT imaging with contrast agent injection, often used as the reference. Healing proves to be correlated with the quality of the clinical result and patient age.

Arthroscopic repair of subscapularis tears: preliminary data from a prospective multicentre study.

BACKGROUND Until the introduction of arthroscopic-assisted surgery for rotator cuff repair, the frequency of subscapularis tears was underestimated. These tears remain challenging to treat even with arthroscopy. The absence of a specific classification system has hampered communication about the treatment and outcomes of the various types of subscapularis tears. The objective of this prospective multicentre study was to validate the relevance of arthroscopic subscapularis tendon repair based on an assessment of short-term outcomes according to the initial extent of the anatomic lesions. METHODS A prospective multicentre study sponsored by the French Society for Arthroscopy was conducted from March 2010 to January 2011 in 208 patients with subscapularis lesions that were either isolated or associated with limited anterosuperior tears. The Constant and UCLA scores were used to assess clinical outcomes. Anatomic and prognostic results were evaluated based on the physical examination, preoperative and postoperative imaging study findings, and anatomic lesions. Clinical data were available for 103 patients after at least 1 year of follow-up and radiological data for 129 patients after at least 6 months. RESULTS The preliminary clinical results in 103 patients with at least 1 year of follow-up showed overall statistically significant improvements in the Constant and UCLA scores, with resolution of the clinical manifestations. The degree of improvement seemed to increase over time. The clinical results varied significantly across patient groups based on a classification system distinguishing four lesion types. Postoperative imaging studies to assess the anatomic results in all patients with at least 6 months of follow-up (n=129) showed tendon healing in 92% of cases but also indicated muscle wasting of the upper subscapularis muscle in 18.6% of cases and increased fatty degeneration of the muscle belly. DISCUSSION Our study confirms the good clinical and radiological results reported in the literature. Our classification system distinguishing four lesion patterns was applicable during the imaging workup. The main finding from this classification system was the difference in results between Type 2 and Type 3 lesions. The trend towards improvements over time requires confirmation by longer-term studies, which will also have to establish that the increased wasting of the upper subscapularis muscle and fatty degeneration of the muscle belly have no adverse effects.

Arthroscopic Posterior Bone Block Procedure: A New Technique Using Suture Anchor Fixation

We present a novel all-arthroscopic technique of posterior shoulder stabilization that uses suture anchors for both bone block fixation and capsulolabral repair. The bone graft, introduced inside the glenohumeral joint through a cannula, is fixed with 2 suture anchors. The associated posteroinferior capsulolabral repair places the bone block in an extra-articular position. In this article we present the detailed arthroscopic technique performed in a consecutive series of 15 patients and report the early results. We also report the positioning, healing, and remodeling of the bone block using postoperative 3-dimensional computed tomography. The benefits of this new technique are as follows: (1) it is all arthroscopic, preserving the posterior deltoid and posterior rotator cuff muscles; (2) it is accurate, resulting in appropriate bone block positioning; (3) it is efficient, allowing for consistent bone graft healing; (4) it is anatomic, both restoring the glenoid bone stock and repairing the injured posterior labrum; and (5) it is safe, limiting hardware-related complications and eliminating the risk of injury to vital structures associated with drilling or screw insertion from posterior to anterior. We believe that this technique is advantageous because it does not use screws for fixation and may be safer for the patient.

Rotator cuff tears after 70 years of age: A prospective, randomized, comparative study between decompression and arthroscopic repair in 154 patients

INTRODUCTION Arthroscopic repair of rotator cuff tears leads to better clinical outcomes than subacromial decompression alone; however the former is rarely proposed to patients above 70 years of age. Our hypothesis was that arthroscopic repair would be superior to decompression in patient 70 years or older. The primary goal was to compare the clinical results obtained with each technique. The secondary goal was to analyze the effects of age, tendon retraction and fatty infiltration on the outcome. METHODS This was a prospective, comparative, randomized, multicenter study where 154 patients were included who were at least 70 years of age. Of the included patients, 143 (70 repair and 73 decompression) were seen at one-year follow-up; these patients had an average age of 74.6 years. Shoulders had a complete supraspinatus tear with extension limited to the upper-third of the infraspinatus and Patte stage 1 or 2 retraction. Clinical outcomes were evaluated with the Constant, ASES and SST scores. RESULTS All scores improved significantly with both techniques: Constant +33.81 (P<0.001), ASES +52.1 (P<0.001), SST +5.86 (P<0.001). However, repair led to even better results than decompression: Constant (+35.85 vs. +31.8, P<0.05), ASES (+56.09 vs. +48.17, P=0.01), SST (+6.33 vs. +5.38, P=0.02). The difference between repair and decompression was not correlated with age; arthroscopic repair was also better in patients above 75 years of age (Constant, ASES and SST scores P<0.01). There was no significant correlation between the final outcomes and initial retraction: Constant (P=0.14), ASES (P=0.92), SST (P=0.47). The difference between repair and decompression was greater in patients with stages 0 and 1 fatty infiltration (Constant P<0.02) than in patients with stages 2 and 3 fatty infiltration (Constant P<0.05). CONCLUSION There was a significant improvement in all-clinical scores for both techniques 1 year after surgery. Repair was significantly better than decompression for all clinical outcomes, even in patients above 75 years of age. The difference observed between repair and decompression was greater in patients with more retracted tears and lesser in patients with more severe fatty infiltration.

New endoscopic classification for subscapularis lesions.

BACKGROUND The absence of a coherent classification system has hampered communication about the treatment and outcomes of the various types of subscapularis tendon lesions. In addition, a reliable classification system allows comparisons of epidemiological and therapeutic data. The classification systems used until now fail to incorporate the radiological and intraoperative abnormalities of the bicipital sling, and they do not consider the degree of subscapularis tendon cleavage. Here, we describe a new arthroscopy-based classification system intended for therapeutic and prognostic purposes. METHODS A prospective multicentre study sponsored by the French Society for Arthroscopy was conducted from March 2010 to January 2011 in 150 isolated subscapularis lesions with or without limited anterosuperior involvement. The bicipital sling and insertion of the deep subscapularis layer were routinely investigated by arthroscopy with video recording. Each lesion was classified after a consensus was reached among four surgeons. RESULTS We identified four lesion types based on the bicipital sling findings. Type I was defined as partial separation of the subscapularis tendon fibres from the lesser tuberosity with a normal bicipital sling. Type II consisted of a partial subscapularis tear at the lesser tuberosity attachment combined with partial injury to the anterior wall of the bicipital sling, without injury to the superior glenohumeral ligament. Type III was complete separation of the subscapularis fibres from the lesser tuberosity with extensive cleavage of the bicipital sling. Finally, in Type IV, all the subscapularis fibres were detached and, in some cases, conjunction of the subscapularis and supraspinatus fibres produced the comma sign. Nearly all the lesions identified intraoperatively during the study fit one of these four types. DISCUSSION A reproducible classification system that allows different surgeons to establish comparable homogeneous patient groups is useful for both therapeutic and prognostic purposes. We defined four types of subscapularis lesions that are easy to identify as either isolated lesions or combined with anterosuperior rotator cuff tears. Long head of biceps tendon abnormalities and fatty degeneration of the shoulder muscles can be added to our classification system. Studies of intraobserver and interobserver reproducibility are needed to complete the process of validating the diagnostic and/or prognostic usefulness of this new classification scheme.

Coracoid bone block fixation with cortical buttons: An alternative to screw fixation?

BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to evaluate suture button fixation in a bone block (Bristow and Latarjet) procedure. We hypothesize that (1) cortical button fixation will allow predictable and reproducible bone union and (2) minimize the complications reported with screw fixation. MATERIALS AND METHODS Seventy patients (mean age, 27 years) underwent an arthroscopic bone block procedure with a guided surgical approach and suture button fixation for recurrent anterior shoulder instability. There were two groups of patients: 35 Bristow procedures (group A) and 35 Latarjet procedures (group B). Bone graft union and positioning accuracy were assessed by postoperative computed tomography imaging at 2 weeks and 6 months, respectively. RESULTS The coracoid graft was positioned below the equator in 93% and strictly tangential to the glenoid surface in 94% of the cases. Bone healing was observed in 83% of the cases (58/70) with 74% bone union in group A and 91% in group B. Neurologic and hardware complications, classically reported with screw fixation, were not observed with this novel fixation method. CONCLUSIONS (1) Suture button fixation can be an alternative to screw fixation, obtaining bone block union, (2) in the lying position (Latarjet) bone healing was better than in the standing position (Bristow), and (3) complications classically reported with screw fixation were not observed. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Level IV.

Massive irreparable rotator cuff tears: how to rebalance the cuff-deficient shoulder.

In its natural state, the shoulder is unbalanced in both the vertical and horizontal planes because the deltoid is stronger than the rotator cuff muscles and the internal rotator muscles are stronger than the external rotator muscles. With aging, this muscle imbalance can become worse, leading to tendon wear, irreversible fatty infiltration of the rotator cuff muscles, and upward migration of the humeral head. Most shoulders with tendon wear are functional and asymptomatic. A traumatic event (such as a fall onto the upper limb) can lead to rotator cuff tearing and a shoulder that becomes symptomatic and nonfunctional. Symptomatic massive irreparable rotator cuff tears present in one of four recognizable patterns depending on the muscular imbalance that occurs and the symptoms that are present: painful loss of active elevation, with conserved muscle balance; isolated loss of active elevation, with loss of vertical muscle balance; isolated loss of external rotation, with loss of horizontal muscle balance; and combined loss of elevation and external rotation, with loss of vertical and horizontal muscle balance. Assessing the plane of shoulder muscle imbalance is a key feature in the decision-making process. Classifying and understanding these tears allows surgeons to select the correct treatment (conservative measures, arthroscopic techniques, reverse shoulder arthroplasty, or tendon transfers) to restore shoulder balance and function.