Peter Lapner

Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair with and without Acromioplasty in the Treatment of Full-thickness Rotator Cuff Tears: A Multicenter, Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND The primary objective of this prospective randomized controlled trial was to compare functional and quality-of-life indices and rates of revision surgery in arthroscopic rotator cuff repair with and without acromioplasty. METHODS Eighty-six patients consented and were randomly assigned intraoperatively to one of two study groups, and sixty-eight of them completed the study. The primary outcome was the Western Ontario Rotator Cuff (WORC) index. Secondary outcome measures included the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) shoulder assessment form and a count of revisions required in each group. Outcome measures were completed preoperatively and at three, six, twelve, eighteen, and twenty-four months after surgery. RESULTS WORC and ASES scores improved significantly in each group over time (p < 0.001). There were no differences in WORC or ASES scores between the groups that had arthroscopic cuff repair with or without acromioplasty at any time point. There were no differences in scores on the basis of acromion type, nor were any interaction effects identified between group and acromion type. Four participants (9%) in the group that had arthroscopic cuff repair alone, one with a Type-2 and three with a Type-3 acromion, required additional surgery by the twenty-four-month time point. The number of patients who required additional surgery was greater (p = 0.05) in the group that had arthroscopic cuff repair alone than in the group that had arthroscopic cuff repair and acromioplasty. CONCLUSIONS Our findings are consistent with previous research reports in which there was no difference in functional and quality-of-life indices for patients who had rotator cuff repair with or without acromioplasty. The higher reoperation rate was found in the group without acromioplasty. Further study that includes follow-up imaging and patient-reported outcomes over a greater follow-up period is needed.

A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Single-Row with Double-Row Fixation in Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair

BACKGROUND Controversy exists regarding the optimal technique for arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. The purpose of this multicenter, randomized, double-blind controlled study was to compare the functional outcomes and healing rates after use of single-row and double-row suture techniques for repair of the rotator cuff. METHODS Ninety patients undergoing arthroscopic rotator cuff repair were randomized to receive either a single-row or a double-row repair. The primary objective was to compare the Western Ontario rotator cuff index (WORC) score at twenty-four months. Secondary objectives included comparison of the constant and american shoulder and elbow surgeons (ASES) scores and strength between groups. Anatomical outcomes were assessed with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or ultrasonography to determine the postoperative healing rates. RESULTS Baseline demographic data including age (p = 0.29), sex (p = 0.68), affected side (p = 0.39), and rotator cuff tear size (p = 0.28) did not differ between groups. The WORC score did not differ significantly between groups at any time point (p = 0.48 at baseline, p = 0.089 at three months, p = 0.52 at six months, p = 0.83 at twelve months, and p = 0.60 at twenty-four months). The WORC score at each postoperative time point was significantly better than the baseline value. The Constant score, ASES score, and strength did not differ significantly between groups at any time point. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that a smaller initial tear size and double-row fixation were associated with higher healing rates. CONCLUSIONS No significant differences in functional or quality-of-life outcomes were identified between single-row and double-row fixation techniques. A smaller initial tear size and a double-row fixation technique were associated with higher healing rates as assessed with ultrasonography or MRI. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Therapeutic level I. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

A 7-year retrospective review from 2005 to 2011 of Propionibacterium acnes shoulder infections in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

This study evaluated the clinical factors associated with Propionibacterium acnes shoulder infection and the standard culture procedures for isolating P. acnes from shoulder specimens by a 7-year retrospective analysis. P. acnes was incriminated as the second most common pathogen in 17 of 80 patients with positive shoulder cultures. All of the 17 patients had prior shoulder implant. The cumulative rates for isolating P. acnes were 1.9%, 1.9%, 41.9%, 96.4%, and 100% at day 1 to day 5 of incubation, respectively. The standard practice of anaerobic culture was able to detect P. acnes from shoulder specimens in patients with a clinical suspicion of infection. The sensitivity and specificity of prolonged incubation remain to be determined.

Double-row Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair Is More Cost-effective Than Single-row Repair

Background: The optimal technique for arthroscopic rotator cuff repair is controversial, and both single and double-row techniques are commonly used. In the current era of increasing costs, health-care delivery models are focusing on the value of care. In this study, we compared the cost-effectiveness of single-row and double-row reconstructions in patients undergoing arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. Methods: A cost-utility analysis was performed from the perspective of a publicly funded health-care system. Health-care costs, probabilities, and utility values were derived from the published literature. Efficacy data were obtained from a previous randomized controlled trial comparing the effect of single-row (n = 48) or double-row (n = 42) reconstruction among 90 surgical patients. Unit cost data were obtained from a hospital database and the Ontario Schedule of Benefits and Fees. Results are presented as an incremental cost per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gained. All costs are presented in 2015 Canadian dollars. A series of 1-way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were performed. Results: Double-row fixation was more costly (

Indication for Computed Tomography Scan in Shoulder Instability: Sensitivity and Specificity of Standard Radiographs to Predict Bone Defects After Traumatic Anterior Glenohumeral Instability:

2,134.41 compared with

Imaging of the rabbit supraspinatus enthesis at 7 Tesla: a 4-week time course after repair surgery and effect of channeling: Enthesis Reformation at 7T: Experimental Study

1,654.76) but was more effective than the single-row method (4.073 compared with 4.055 QALYs). An incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) was estimated to be

Arthroscopic Bankart Repair with and without Arthroscopic Infraspinatus Remplissage in Anterior Shoulder Instability with Hill-Sachs Defect: Randomized Controlled Trial

26,666.75 per QALY gained for double-row relative to single-row fixation. A subgroup analysis demonstrated that patients with larger rotator cuff tears (≥3 cm) had a lower ICER, suggesting that double-row fixation may be more cost-effective for larger tears. Conclusions: Based on the willingness-to-pay threshold of

Biceps Tenodesis Versus Tenotomy in Treatment of Lesions of Long Head of Biceps Brachii in Patients Undergoing Arthroscopic Shoulder Surgery

50,000 per QALY gained, double-row fixation was found to be more cost-effective than single-row. Furthermore, a double-row reconstruction was found to be more economically attractive for larger rotator cuff tears (≥3 cm). Level of Evidence: Economic and Decision Analysis Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

FUNCTIONAL AND QUALITY OF LIFE OUTCOMES FOLLOWING ARTHROSCOPIC BICEPS TENODESIS USING NON-INTERFERENCE TECHNIQUE

Background: Quantifying glenohumeral bone loss is key in preoperative surgical planning for a successful Bankart repair. Hypothesis: Simple radiographs can accurately measure bone defects in cases of recurrent shoulder instability. Study Design: Cohort study (diagnosis); Level of evidence, 2. Methods: A true anteroposterior (AP) view, alone and in combination with an axillary view, was used to evaluate the diagnostic properties of radiographs compared with computed tomography (CT) scan, the current gold standard, to predict significant bone defects in 70 patients. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values were evaluated and compared. Results: Detection of glenoid bone loss on plain film radiographs, with and without axillary view, had a sensitivity of 86% for both views and a specificity of 73% and 64% with and without the axillary view, respectively. For detection of humeral bone loss, the sensitivity was 8% and 17% and the specificity was 98% and 91% with and without the axillary view, respectively. Regular radiographs would have missed 1 instance of significant bone loss on the glenoid side and 20 on the humeral side. Interobserver reliabilities were moderate for glenoid detection (κ = 0.473-0.503) and poor for the humeral side (κ = 0.278-0.336). Conclusion: Regular radiographs showed suboptimal sensitivity, specificity, and reliability. Therefore, CT scan should be considered in the treatment algorithm for accurate quantification of bone loss to prevent high rates of recurrent instability.

LESSER TUBEROSITY OSTEOTOMY VS. SUBSCAPULARIS TENOTOMY IN SHOULDER ARTHROPLASTY: A MULTICENTRE RCT

To image the supraspinatus enthesis reformation of rabbit shoulders by magnetic resonance at 7 Tesla (T) using T2 mapping after surgical repair and to assess the effects of channeling aimed at enhancing enthesis reformation.