EVALUATION OF RESULTS AND COMPLICATIONS FROM ARTHROSCOPIC SUTURE OF SLAP LESIONS

Functional outcome after arthroscopic repair of triple shoulder instability

Objective

To evaluate the functional outcomes of patients submitted to arthroscopic repair of triple labral lesion.

Methods

This was an analytical retrospective study of patients who underwent arthroscopic treatment of triple labral lesion from March 2005 to December 2014. Patients with at least one year of postoperative follow-up were included. A total of nine patients were evaluated. The mean age was 32.3 years and the dominant side was affected in five patients. Patients were functionally assessed regarding the range of motion (ROM) in elevation, external rotation with the arm close to the body the arm in abduction of 90°, and internal rotation, and by the Carter–Rowe score. The degree of satisfaction was assessed at the end of the follow-up period.

Results

Three patients had less than five episodes of instability, four patients had between five and ten episodes, and two patients had more than ten episodes. Seven patients had positive O’Brien test for SLAP lesions and positive apprehension test in abduction and external rotation, and only one patient had apprehension in adduction and internal rotation. Three patients persisted with positive O’Brien test and one with apprehension in abduction and external rotation at the end of follow-up. The range of motion was complete in all cases. The median Carter–Rowe score increased from 40 preoperatively to 90 (p = 0.008).

Conclusion

The arthroscopic repair of triple labral lesions allows for the restoration of the stability of the glenohumeral joint, achieving excellent functional results.

Functional evaluation of arthroscopic treatment of SLAP lesions through the O'Brien portal

Objective

To evaluate the functional results from arthroscopic repair of SLAP lesions through the portal described by O’Brien.

Methods

A retrospective evaluation was conducted on 19 shoulders in 18 patients who underwent arthroscopic repair of SLAP lesions through the O’Brien portal between November 2007 and January 2012.

Results

Nineteen shoulders in 18 patients were evaluated: 16 male patients (84.2%) and three female patients (15.7%). The patients’ ages ranged from 27 to 40 years (mean of 34.3 years). There were 12 patients (63.1%) with injuries on the right shoulder, six (31.5%) with injuries on the left shoulder and one (5.2%) with bilateral injury. In relation to dominance, 13 patients (68.4%) presented the injury on the dominant limb and five (26.3%) were affected on the non-dominant limb. We observed that nine cases (47.3%) had SLAP lesions alone and 10 cases (52.6%) were related to glenohumeral instability. There was one case (5.2%) of recurrence of glenohumeral dislocation, but this patient chose not to undergo a new surgical intervention. According to the UCLA and ASES scales translated and adapted to the Portuguese language, 96% of the results were good or excellent.

Conclusion

The approach for treating SLAP lesions through the portal described by O’Brien et al. is easy to reproduce, with a high rate of good and excellent results and a low complication rate.