Dordain F, Gadéa F, Charousset C, Berhouet J. Methods of analyzing the long head of the biceps tendon in the management of distal supraspinatus tendon ruptures. Part 2: The role and validation of an arthroscopic exploration protocol of the long head of the biceps tendon.
Orthop Traumatol Surg Res 2023;
109:103685. [PMID:
37704102 DOI:
10.1016/j.otsr.2023.103685]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Revised: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION
Inter-observer arthroscopic assessments of the Long head of the Biceps tendon (LHB) injuries, in the absence of predefined instructions, are poorly reproducible. There are several types of LHB injuries, of varying severity, which can make its intraoperative analysis subjective.
HYPOTHESIS
The application of a precise arthroscopic exploration protocol, particularly dynamic, associated with an equally precise analysis of the possible tendon lesions, intrinsic or extrinsic, makes it possible to obtain a reproducible analysis of the lesions of the LHB and aid decision-making around its conservation or its resection, in distal supraspinatus tendon ruptures.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
This was a prospective, multicenter study including 371 patients with a stage 1 rupture of the supraspinatus tendon, in accordance with the Patte classification. An exploration protocol with intraoperative video recording of the articular portion of the biceps was systematically performed by the operators. It included static intra-articular and extra-articular observation of the LHB, as well as a dynamic intra-articular hook test with mobilization in internal and external rotation, and in anterior elevation. An analysis of the lesion status of the LHB was then made by the principal operator (Op), after defining the various possible lesions: intrinsic or extrinsic. This initial diagnostic assessment was then compared with the analysis made by two independent observers (Obs1, Obs2) based on a replay of the recorded videos. The reliability of agreement was then measured using Cohen's Kappa coefficient (K) and Fleiss' kappa.
RESULTS
Two hundred and fifty-seven videos were analyzable. The level of agreement between the two independent observers was strong (K=0.63) for applying the diagnosis of a healthy or pathological biceps. The agreement between the independent observers and the operator was weaker (respectively K Op-Obs1=0.51 - moderate and K Op-Obs2=0.39 - poor).
CONCLUSION
The application of a precise protocol for the exploration of the LHB, associated with a previously defined lesion classification, makes it possible to obtain a high rate of agreement for the arthroscopic diagnostic analysis of the LHB. However, arthroscopy cannot be used as the only criterion for deciding which procedure to perform on the LHB. Other clinical and para-clinical factors must be taken into consideration.
LEVEL OF EVIDENCE
III; prospective inter-observer series.
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