Case Series of All-Arthroscopic Treatment for Terrible Triad of the Elbow: Indications and Clinical Outcomes.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the results of all-arthroscopic treatment of the terrible triad of the elbow, a combination of elbow dislocation, radial head dislocation, and coronoid process fracture, and its complications. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of consecutive patients with terrible triad who underwent all-arthroscopic treatment between January 2011 and December 2016. All-arthroscopic treatment was performed in the unstable elbows after manual reduction. Clinical evaluation was performed at least 2 years postoperatively. Patients with another fracture in the upper extremity and previous fracture of the affected elbow were excluded. A radial head fracture that was stable enough to reduce or involved less than 25% of the articular surface for partial excision and Regan-Morrey classification type I and type II coronoid process fractures were treated arthroscopically. Range of motion, radiologic outcomes, surgical complications, and the Mayo Elbow Performance Score were evaluated at the final follow-up. The Mann-Whitney test was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: A total of 24 patients met the inclusion criteria, and the average age was 47.6 years. Coronoid process fractures were fixed in all patients, by use of Kirschner wires in 15 (62.5%) and pullout sutures in 9 (37.5%). Radial head fractures were treated using screw or K-wire fixation in 4 patients (16.7%); only the fragment of the fracture was resected in 11 patients (45.8%). In all 24 cases (100%), the lateral collateral ligaments were repaired. At the final follow-up, the mean flexion contracture angle was 4.8° ± 1.1° and the mean flexion angle was 132.5° ± 6.3°. Clinical scores were satisfactory, with a mean Mayo Elbow Performance Score of 93 points. However, nonunion of coronoid fractures was observed in 4 patients (16.7%). There was 1 case of pin-site irritation. CONCLUSIONS: All-arthroscopic treatment for the terrible triad can provide an excellent safety profile without the need for a large incision if the indications are met. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, therapeutic case series.

Risk Factors for Recurrence of Anterior-Inferior Instability of the Shoulder After Arthroscopic Bankart Repair in Patients Younger Than 30 Years.

PURPOSE: To identify the risk factors for recurrent instability after arthroscopic Bankart repair and evaluate the recurrence rate and functional outcomes. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed of patients with anterior-inferior shoulder instability who underwent arthroscopic Bankart repair between 2008 and 2014. Patients below 30 years of age who were available for follow-up at least for 2 years were sorted into 2 groups according to the presence of recurrent instability. Furthermore, statistical analysis by binary logistic regression analysis included the significance of various risk factors including gender, demographic factors, number of preoperative dislocations, time interval between the first dislocation and the surgery (shorter than 6 months or not), generalized hyperlaxity, concomitant injury, bony Bankart, and off-track lesion. The functional outcomes were assessed with the Rowe and Walch-Duplay scores. RESULTS: A total of 170 shoulders were included (without-recurrence group: 138, recurrent group: 32). The overall postoperative recurrent instability rate was 18.8%. SLAP repair, interval closure, and capsular plication were performed when necessary. However, these additional procedures were not influenced by recurrence (P = .37). The 2 groups showed significant differences in the number of preoperative dislocations (P = .048; adjusted odds ratio [OR] 2-5 times, 6.41; more than 5 times, 8.77), time interval between the first dislocation and surgery (P = .003, adjusted OR 5.62), and off-track Hill-Sachs lesion (P = .04, adjusted OR 4.31). There was significant improvement in the mean Rowe and Walch-Duplay scores at 2 years postoperatively (P < .001 in both cases), but the mean scores were lower in the group with recurrence than in the group without (P = .021 and .014, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The overall results suggest that surgery within 6 months of the first dislocation should be considered, with meticulous attention in patients with a high number of preoperative dislocations or off-track Hill-Sachs lesions. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, retrospective case-control study.

Arthroscopic Treatment of a Type II Superior Labrum Anterior to Posterior (SLAP) Lesion Combined with a Bankart Lesion: Comparative Study between Debridement and Repair of Type II SLAP Lesion by the Status of Lesion.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study is to evaluate results of superior labrum anterior to posterior (SLAP) repairs and debridement of type II SLAP lesions combined with Bankart lesions. METHODS: Between 2010 and 2014, total 58 patients with anterior shoulder instability due to a Bankart lesion combined with a type II SLAP lesion were enrolled. Patients were divided into two groups: group C consisted of 30 patients, each with a communicated Bankart and type II SLAP lesion and group NC consisted of 28 patients, each with a non-communicated Bankart and type II SLAP lesion. Bankart repairs were performed for all patients. SLAP lesions were repaired in group C and debrided in group NC. Clinical results were analysed to compare groups C and NC by using the visual analogue scale pain score, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score, Constant scores, Rowe score for instability and range of motion assessments. RESULTS: The clinical scores were improved in both groups at final follow-up. Also, there were no differences between two groups. No significant difference was found in terms of the range of motion measured at the last follow-up. The number of suture anchors used was significantly higher in group C than in group NC (5.6 vs. 3.8; p=0.021). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, it is considered that Bankart repair and SLAP debridement could be a treatment option in patients with a non-communicated type II SLAP lesion combined with a Bankart lesion (study design: IV, therapeutic study, case series).