Modified Dynamic Anterior Stabilization (DAS) and Hill-Sachs Remplissage for the Treatment of Recurrent Anterior Shoulder Dislocation

Arthroscopic subscapularis augmentation of the classic Bankart repair leads to satisfactory clinical and functional mid-term outcomes in patients with recurrent anterior shoulder instability and less than a subcritical glenoid bone loss

PURPOSE

The long-term failure rate of the arthroscopic Bankart repair may reach unacceptable values, raising the need to augment this classic procedure. Arthroscopic subscapularis augmentation is the tenodesis of the upper part of the subscapularis tendon to the anterior glenoid rim. The aim of the study was to evaluate the mid-term clinical and functional outcomes of patients operated with arthroscopic subscapularis augmentation of the classic Bankart repair due to recurrent anterior shoulder instability.

METHODS

This is a retrospective single-centre case series study with prospectively collected data. All patients suffered from recurrent anterior shoulder instability and had glenoid bone loss less than 13.5% of the inferior glenoid diameter (subcritical glenoid bone loss). Patients with greater anterior glenoid bone defect, engaging Hill-Sachs lesions, multidirectional instability or subscapularis insufficiency were excluded. Postoperatively, all patients were evaluated for recurrence and apprehension. The patient's shoulder range of motion and functional scores were recorded.

RESULTS

The final study cohort included 34 patients with a mean age of 29.3 ± 10.2 years. The mean follow-up period was 42.4 ± 10.7 months (range, 24-62 months). Two out of 34 patients (5.8%) experienced a re-dislocation postoperatively, while one additional patient had a subjective feeling of apprehension. External rotation at the last follow-up was lower compared to preoperative values or the healthy side, but only one patient had restrictions in his sporting activities. The functional scores were significantly increased compared to the preoperative values. Twenty-two out of 26 patients (84.6%) returned to the same level of sporting activities, and 30/34 patients (88.2%) were highly satisfied with the results.

CONCLUSION

Arthroscopic subscapularis augmentation of the classic Bankart repair reduces the dislocation recurrence rate and leads to satisfactory clinical and functional mid-term outcomes in patients with recurrent anterior shoulder instability and less than a subcritical glenoid bone loss.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV.

Biomechanical Analysis Reveals Shoulder Instability With Bipolar Bone Loss Is Best Treated With Dynamic Anterior Stabilization for On-Track Lesions and With Remplissage for Off-Track Lesions

PURPOSE

To compare the biomechanical effects of augmenting Bankart repair (BR) with either remplissage or dynamic anterior stabilization (DAS) in the treatment of anterior shoulder instability with on-track or off-track bipolar bone loss.

METHODS

Eight fresh-frozen cadaveric shoulders were tested at 60° of glenohumeral abduction in the intact, injury, and repair conditions. Injury conditions included 15% glenoid bone loss with an on-track or off-track Hill-Sachs lesion as previously recommended. Repair conditions included isolated BR, BR with remplissage, and BR with DAS (long head of biceps transfer). The glenohumeral stability was assessed by measuring the anterior translation under 0, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 N load and maximum load without causing instability at mid-range (60°) and end-range (90°) external rotation (ER). Maximum range of motion (ROM) was measured by applying a 2.2-N·m torque in passive ER and internal rotation.

RESULTS

Isolated BR failed to restore native glenohumeral stability in both on-track and off-track bipolar bone loss models. Both remplissage and DAS significantly decreased the anterior instability in the bipolar bone loss models, showing better restoration than the isolated BR. In the on-track lesions, DAS successfully restored native glenohumeral stability and mobility, whereas remplissage significantly decreased anterior translation without load (-2.12 ± 1.07 mm at 90° ER, P = .003; -1.98 ± 1.23 mm at 60° ER, P = .015). In the off-track lesions, remplissage restored native glenohumeral stability but led to significant ROM limitation (-8.6° ± 2.3° for internal rotation, P < .001; -13.9° ± 6.2° for ER, P = .003), whereas DAS failed to restore native stability at 90° ER regarding the increased anterior translation under 50 N (4.10 ± 1.53 mm, P < .001) and decreased maximum load (-13.8 ± 9.2 N, P = .021).

CONCLUSIONS

At time-zero, both remplissage and DAS significantly reduced residual anterior instability compared with isolated BR in the bipolar bone loss models and restored the native glenohumeral stability under most translational loads. However, remplissage could decrease the anterior translation without load for on-track lesions and may restrict ROM for off-track lesions, whereas DAS failed to restore native stability under high translational loads for off-track lesions.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

DAS could be recommended to treat on-track bipolar bone loss with less biomechanical adverse effects, whereas remplissage might be the preferred procedure to address off-track bipolar bone loss for better stability.

Biceps tendon autograft augmentation for rotator cuff and instability procedures: a narrative review

Rotator cuff tears (RCT) and instability are the most common surgically treated shoulder pathologies. The concept of augmentation using the long head of the biceps tendon (LHBT) autograft was created to improve the results of surgical treatment of these pathologies, especially in cases of chronic and massive injuries. The popularity of using the LHBT for augmentation is evidenced by the significant number of publications on this topic published in the last 3 years; however, only one systematic review has been published regarding only LHBT augmentation for massive RCTs. Several studies comparing partial repair with partial repair and additional LHBT augmentation for RCT showed superior clinical outcomes and lower re-tear rates when LHBT augmentation was performed. There is a rising popularity of using LHBT as an autograft to perform superior capsule reconstruction (SCR) in case of irreparable rotator cuff tears. In recent years, shoulder stabilization by arthroscopic Bankart repair with biceps augmentation has been promoted with very promising short-term results. The evidence provided by studies appears to be sufficient to recommend the use of LHBT for augmentation whenever necessary; however, larger studies with long-term follow-up are needed.

Long head of the biceps tendon versatility in reconstructive shoulder surgery: a narrative review of arthroscopic techniques and their biomechanical principles with video presentation

The management of the long head of the biceps tendon (LHBT) during shoulder arthroscopy has been a subject of controversy for many years, with evolving discussions and trends. Despite long-standing debate, the nature of the surgical indication regarding how to treat concomitent LHBT injuries has undergone changes in recent years. It now extends beyond the timing of tenotomy to encompass considerations of alternative methods for preserving the LHBT, along with an ongoing exploration of how it can be effectively utilized in reconstructive shoulder surgery. Recent techniques describe approaches to using LHBT in a wide range of procedures, from shoulder instability to rotator cuff tears. Additionally, LHBT-based reconstructive techniques have surfaced for addressing what were formerly denoted as irreparable rotator cuff tears. While current literature provides detailed anatomical descriptions of the LHBT and many reports of novel, advanced techniques, there is still much debate regarding the decision-making process in each case. Because of the growing number of emerging techniques and the escalating debate in the subsequent paper, a decision has been made to present the current literature review concerning the potential utilization of LHBT in shoulder arthroscopy. In a dedicated video, we demonstrate the main arthroscopic techniques employed by the authors in their daily practice.

Dynamic Anterior Stabilization with Hill-Sachs Remplissage Can be Employed in Skeletally Immature Patients-Operative Technique

BACKGROUND

Numerous studies indicate that glenoid bony augmentation raises the risk of complications during and after surgery. On the other hand, repairing the labrum alone in cases with subcritical glenoid bone loss results in recurrent instability and persistent apprehension. As a result, recent advancements in shoulder instability surgery prioritize fully restoring the anterior shoulder restraint.

OPERATIVE TECHNIQUE

A novel method for treating recurrent anterior shoulder instability with subcritical glenoid bone loss and off-track Hill-Sachs lesion in skeletally immature patients is suggested: the use of dynamic anterior stabilization technique incorporating the long head of the biceps tendon onto the anterior glenoid rim via trans-subscapular transfer, in conjunction with Hill-Sachs remplissage. A practical, step-by-step surgical technique for a complete reconstruction of the anterior capsule-labral-ligamentous complex is provided. This involves utilizing a soft-tissue dynamic anterior sling, achieved through the trans-subscapularis transfer of the long head of the biceps tendon at the glenoid level. The procedure concludes with a Hill-Sachs remplissage to further prevent off-track events and alleviate apprehension.

CONCLUSION

Dynamic anterior stabilization is a suitable approach for addressing recurring anterior shoulder instability in skeletally immature patients who have subcritical glenoid bone loss and bipolar bone lesions.

Anchorless Onlay Dynamic Anterior Stabilization of the Shoulder Using a Guided Posterior Double Endobutton Fixation

The treatment of shoulder instability in the presence of a subcritical glenoid defect poses challenges, as simple Bankart seems insufficient, and the Latarjet procedure may be excessive. Recently, a dynamic anterior stabilization technique involving anterior transposition of the long head of the biceps (LHB) through a subscapularis split was described for that purpose. Previously published results demonstrated good short-term results, but several technical pitfalls have also been mentioned. We describe an onlay, anchorless, and intra-articular knotless method of fixing the LHB into the anterior glenoid that provides the important stabilizing "sling effect" of the dynamic anterior stabilization while avoiding some of the pitfalls described by other techniques.

Partial Articular Supraspinatus Tendon Avulsion Repair and Patch: A Technical Note for Augmenting the Supraspinatus Reinsertion with the Long Head of the Biceps Tendon

BACKGROUND

There is no clear consensus on the treatment of partial articular-sided supraspinatus tendon avulsions. Debridement alone might not be sufficient to prevent further tendon degradation or alleviate patient complaints. Direct repair using a suture anchor without treating the concomitant conditions of the long head of the biceps tendon might come with residual anterior shoulder pain or even further loss of function in cases of failed repair. The purpose of the present study is to describe an arthroscopic technique by which the long head of the biceps tendon can be included in the partial articular-sided supraspinatus tendon avulsion repair.

TECHNIQUE PRESENTATION WITH VIDEO

In this technical note we describe the arthroscopic repair and augmentation with tenotomized biceps of partial supraspinatus tendon tears to address three main concepts for successful rotator cuff repairs, namely rotator cuff biologic augmentation, tendon to bone healing and postoperative pain prevention.

CONCLUSION

The biceps tendon is a mechanically robust, locally available autograft that can be used in borderline partial articular-sided supraspinatus tendon avulsions in order to biologically augment healing at the tendon-bone interface without any immunogenic reactions or morbidity following harvesting.

Dynamic Anterior Stabilization Using Transosseous Bone Tunnel Technique With the Adjustable Loop Length Cortical Button Incorporating High-Strength Suture Augmentation for Recurrent Shoulder Instability

Dynamic anterior stabilization using the long head of the biceps tendon is a recently described technique in the management of recurrent shoulder dislocation with subcritical bone loss. This technique involves the transfer of the long head of the biceps to the glenoid, providing sling and hammock effect. The long head of the biceps (LHB) tendon fixation can be accomplished with a variety of implants. We present a modified fixation technique of LHB tendon using transosseous bone tunnel with the adjustable loop length cortical button, incorporating high-strength suture augmentation device in a patient with recurrent glenohumeral instability with limited glenoid bone loss and an engaging Hill-Sachs defect in the humeral head.