Using the Long Head of Biceps Tendon Autograft as an Anatomical Reconstruction of the Rotator Cable: An Arthroscopic Technique for Patients With Massive Rotator Cuff Tears

EditorialCommentary: In Situ Biceps Tenodesis Is Useful in the Treatment of Irreparable Rotator Cuff Tears

For irreparable posterior superior rotator cuff tears (IPSRCTs), techniques other than reverse shoulder arthroplasty and tendon transfer are still under research; among these, reusing the long head of the biceps (LHB) is noteworthy. Various techniques of LHB reuse have been reported and can be divided into 3 biomechanical categories: restoration of the force chain of the rotator cuff, augmentation of the superior capsule, and combined force-chain restoration and superior capsule augmentation, among which in situ biceps tenodesis may be the simplest. LHB reuse for IPSRCTs is always combined with partial rotator cuff repair, and clinical studies have revealed that this combined treatment is effective in most cases. However, the structural and functional conditions of IPSRCTs vary. For each LHB reuse method, the most suitable conditions for its use should be explored. Likewise, for each specific rotator cuff tear condition, the best method for LHB reuse also needs to be explored. Studies of high level of evidence and long-term follow-up are needed.

Massive and Irreparable Rotator Cuff Tears: A Review of Current Definitions and Concepts

Background

While massive and irreparable rotator cuff tears (MIRCTs) have been abundantly studied, inconsistent definitions in the literature and theories about pain and dysfunction related to them can be difficult to navigate when considering an individual patient.

Purpose

To review the current literature for definitions and critical concepts that drive decision-making for MIRCTs.

Study Design

Narrative review.

Methods

A search of the PubMed database was performed to conduct a comprehensive literature review on MIRCTs. A total of 97 studies were included.

Results

Recent literature reflects added attention to clarifying the definitions of "massive, "irreparable," and "pseudoparalysis." In addition, numerous recent studies have added to the understanding of what generates pain and dysfunction from this condition and have reported on new techniques for addressing them.

Conclusion

The current literature provides a nuanced set of definitions and conceptual foundations on MIRCTs. These can be used to better define these complex conditions in patients when comparing current surgical techniques to address MIRCTs, as well as when interpreting the results of new techniques. While the number of effective treatment options has increased, high-quality and comparative evidence on treatments for MIRCTs is lacking.

A Technique for a Suture-Based Cable Reconstruction of an Irreparable Posterosuperior Rotator Cuff Tear

The management of irreparable rotator cuff tears remains challenging. In patients in whom a complete repair cannot be obtained, a partial repair remains an option. The goal of a partial rotator cuff repair is to obtain a stable glenohumeral joint fulcrum by restoring the rotator cable complex. Traditionally, partial repair has been performed with independent reattachment(s) of the rotator cable complex with or without margin convergence medially. This Technical Note describes an alternative approach to a partial rotator cuff repair with a suture-based cable reconstruction.

Arthroscopic Long Head of the Biceps Transposition for Superior Capsular Augmentation Results in Comparable Clinical Outcomes to Arthroscopic Partial Repair for Irreparable Rotator Cuff Tears

Purpose

To describe a modified arthroscopic technique of long head of biceps transposition (LHBT) for superior capsular augmentation; to investigate the outcomes and effectiveness of LHBT in patients with irreparable rotator cuff tears; and to compare the results with those of arthroscopic partial repair (APR) after a 2-year minimum follow-up.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent arthroscopic repair of large to massive superior rotator cuff tears. The inclusion criteria were an irreparable rotator cuff with inability of the tendon to reach the original footprint and postoperative follow-up for a minimum of 2 years. We investigated 22 patients followed up for 30.7 months (mean); 10 patients underwent isolated partial repair and 12 patients underwent LHBT combined with partial repair. The acromiohumeral interval (AHI) was measured using anteroposterior radiographs. Cuff integrity was defined using Sugaya’s classification 2 years postoperatively. Clinical outcomes were assessed preoperatively and during postoperative follow-up (minimum 2 years) using the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons and University of California, Los Angeles shoulder rating scales.

Results

Postoperative functional scores significantly improved in both groups. In the LHBT group, both American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons and University of California, Los Angeles scores significantly improved postoperatively from 52.0 ± 14.6 to 89.3 ± 10.4 points (P = .002) and 15.2 ± 2.2 to 32.5 ± 2.6 points (P = .002), respectively. In addition, the AHI at the final follow-up was significantly greater in the LHBT group (7.5 ± 2.0 mm) than in the APR group (5.8 ± 1.9 mm) (P = .032). The retear rate, forward flexion, and postoperative functional scores at the final follow-up were better in the LHBT group; however, the intergroup differences were not statistically significant.

Conclusions

Arthroscopic LHBT for irreparable rotator cuff tears showed comparable clinical outcomes and improvement in postoperative AHI compared with APR after a minimum 2-year follow-up.

Level of Evidence

Level III, retrospective comparative trial.

[Research progress of arthroscopic long head of biceps tendon transposition in treatment of irreparable massive rotator cuff tears]

OBJECTIVE

To review the research progress of arthroscopic long head of biceps tendon (LHBT) transposition in treatment of irreparable massive rotator cuff tears.

METHODS

The domestic and foreign related literature in recent years on the treatment of irreparable massive rotator cuff tears with different LHBT transposition methods under arthroscopy was reviewed and analyzed.

RESULTS

Arthroscopic LHBT transposition is an effective method for irreparable massive rotator cuff tears, which mainly includes "proximal cut", "both two cuts", "distal cut", and "no cut". Different methods of LHBT transposition can achieve good effectiveness, but its long-term effectiveness needs further follow-up.

CONCLUSION

Arthroscopic LHBT transposition in treatment of irreparable massive rotator cuff tears is simple and effective. The patients can recover quickly after operation with less injury. But the technique has higher requirements for surgeons, and the indications must be strictly controlled.

Superior Capsular Reconstruction: A Systematic Review of Surgical Techniques and Clinical Outcomes

PURPOSE

To evaluate surgical techniques and clinical outcomes of arthroscopic superior capsular reconstruction (SCR) for the treatment of massive irreparable rotator cuff tears.

METHODS

A systematic review was registered with PROSPERO and performed using PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses) guidelines. The PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane databases were searched. Studies investigating SCR with reported surgical techniques were included. Animal studies, cadaveric studies, review studies, and letters to the editor were excluded. The technical aspects of the surgical techniques for SCR were analyzed in each article, which included graft type, glenoid fixation method, greater tuberosity fixation method, graft passage technique, suture management, margin convergence, concomitant procedures, and postoperative rehabilitation protocol. Clinical outcomes, when available, were also analyzed.

RESULTS

We screened 365 articles, of which 29 described surgical techniques for SCR. According to the Modified Coleman Methodology Score, 24 articles were rated as poor (score < 55), 4 were rated as fair (score between 55 and 69), and 1 was rated as good (score between 70 and 84), with an average score of 25.8 ± 20.9. The most commonly performed technique for SCR used the following: an acellular dermal allograft, 2 biocomposite suture anchors for glenoid fixation, transosseous-equivalent double-row suture anchor fixation for greater tuberosity fixation with 2 biocomposite medial-row anchors and 2 biocomposite lateral-row anchors, the double-pulley technique combined with an arthroscopic grasper and/or pull suture to pass the graft into the shoulder, the performance of both anterior and posterior margin convergence, and a native rotator cuff repair when possible. Only 8 studies reported clinical outcomes, and they showed that SCR provides significant improvement in patient-reported outcomes, significant improvement in shoulder range of motion, variable graft failure rates, low complication rates, and variable reoperation rates. There were no studies comparing outcomes among the various surgical techniques.

CONCLUSIONS

Many surgical techniques exist for arthroscopic SCR. However, no superior technique was shown because there were no studies comparing clinical outcomes among these various techniques.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level V, systematic review of Level III, IV, and V studies.

Dynamic Biceps Rerouting for Irreparable Posterior-Superior Rotator Cuff Tear

Irreparable posterior-superior rotator cuff tear (IPSRCT) is a common clinical condition. Many methods of transfer of the long head of the biceps (LHB) have been developed to augment the shoulder superiorly, with the best method using the LHB still being pursued. In this article, we introduce a special method using the LHB to address IPSRCT: arthroscopic dynamic LHB rerouting. The main steps of this technique include opening the native bicipital groove, creating a new bicipital groove through the greater tuberosity, rerouting the LHB into the new bicipital groove without LHB fixation, and side-to-side rotator cuff repair over the LHB. Our clinical experience indicates this technique can be easily and safely performed according to certain guidelines. We think the introduction of this technique will bring special insight to superior shoulder augmentation in case of IPSRCT.

The results of using a tendon autograft as a new rotator cable for patients with a massive rotator cuff tear: a technical note and comparative outcome analysis

BACKGROUND

Several surgical reconstructive options are available to treat massive rotator cuff tears (MRCTs). The rotator cable has an important function and we evaluated the clinical result after arthroscopic reconstruction of the rotator cable with an autograft tendon.

METHODS

A prospective pilot study was performed with inclusion of four patients, average age of 64 years, with an irreparable MRCT. The patients underwent an arthroscopic reconstruction of the rotator cable with the use of the long head of biceps tendon autograft, except for one which was reconstructed with a hamstring tendon. Pre- and postsurgically, the Constant-Murley Score (CMS), Western Ontario Rotator Cuff Index (WORC), Simple Shoulder Test (SST), visual analog scale (VAS) scores, and an MRI was performed. Clinical results of the study group were compared with clinical results of comparable cohort of patients with a MRCT, treated non-operatively with physiotherapy.

RESULTS

The CMS score increased after surgery in three of the four patients. The improvement of CMS score was comparable to the improvement of the CMS score encountered in a comparable cohort. The MRI at 12 months follow-up showed that the reconstructed rotator cable was disintegrated in all patients and the rotator cuff was detached and retracted.

CONCLUSIONS

In our pilot study, arthroscopic reconstruction of the rotator cable using a tendon autograft failed over time and showed no clinical benefit in comparison to the non-operative treatment with physiotherapy.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

The regional Medical Ethical Committee (Zwolle) gave approval at 14th of October 2016 and assigned no. 16.06100.

Small-incision open distal subpectoral vs. arthroscopic proximal biceps tenodesis for biceps long head tendon lesions with repair of rotator cuff tears

The curative effect of small-incision open distal subpectoral vs. arthroscopic proximal biceps tenodesis for lesions in the long head of the biceps tendon (LHBT) combined with rotator cuff repairs (RCR) has remained controversial. The aim of the present study was to compare the two surgical methods. A total of 71 patients who received surgical treatment for LHBT lesions accompanied by RC tears were analyzed. Following arthroscopic RCR and tendectomy of the affected LHBT, 35 patients underwent small-incision open distal subpectoral tenodesis through a small incision (the subpectoral group), while the remaining 36 patients received arthroscopic proximal tenodesis (the arthroscopic group). The surgery time and intra-operative blood loss were compared between the two groups. In addition, the clinical outcomes were evaluated using scoring systems for the functional assessment of the shoulder joint. The subpectoral group had a shorter surgery time and less intra-operative blood loss than the arthroscopic group (P<0.05). The functional scores of the two groups significantly improved as time passed (P<0.05). The subpectoral group was significantly superior to the arthroscopic group with regard to the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score at 2 weeks post-operatively and visual analog scale score at 2 weeks and 3 months post-operatively (P<0.05). Small-incision open distal subpectoral and arthroscopic proximal tenodesis were demonstrated to effectively improve the function of the shoulder joint and relieve pain caused by LHBT lesions accompanied by RCR. However, small-incision open distal subpectoral tenodesis had the additional advantage of shorter surgery time, less intra-operative bleeding and encouraging early results compared to arthroscopic proximal tenodesis. The study was registered as a clinical trial in the Chinese Trial Registry (no. ChiCTR1800015643).