Continuous Superior Trunk Block versus Single-Shot Superior Trunk Block with Intravenous Dexmedetomidine for Postoperative Analgesia in Arthroscopic Shoulder Surgery: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background/Objectives: Intravenous dexmedetomidine (DEX) can increase the analgesia duration of peripheral nerve block; however, its effect in combination with superior trunk block (STB) remains unclear. We examined whether combining single-shot STB (SSTB) with intravenous DEX would provide noninferior postoperative analgesia comparable to that provided by continuous STB (CSTB). Methods: Ninety-two patients scheduled for elective arthroscopic rotator cuff repair were enrolled in this prospective randomized trial. Patients were randomly assigned to the CSTB or SSTB + DEX group. Postoperatively, each CSTB group patient received 15 mL of 0.5% ropivacaine and a continuous 0.2% ropivacaine infusion. Each SSTB group patient received a 15 mL postoperative bolus injection of 0.5% ropivacaine. DEX was administered at 2 mcg/kg for 30 min post anesthesia, then maintained at 0.5 mcg/kg/h till surgery ended. Pain scores were investigated every 12 h for 48 h post operation, with evaluation of rebound pain incidence and opioid consumption. Results: The SSTB + DEX group had significantly higher median pain scores at 12 h post operation (resting pain, 8.0 vs. 3.0; movement pain, 8.0 vs. 5.0) and a higher incidence of rebound pain (56% vs. 20%) than the CSTB group. However, no significant between-group differences were observed in pain scores postoperatively at 24, 36, or 48 h. The CSTB group required less opioids and fewer rescue analgesics within 12-24 h post operation than the SSTB + DEX group. Conclusions: Compared with CSTB, SSTB + DEX required additional adjuvant or multimodal analgesics to reduce the risk and intensity of postoperative rebound pain in patients who underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair.

Heated Tobacco Products Have Detrimental Effects on Rotator Cuff Healing, Similar to Conventional Cigarettes.

BACKGROUND: Cigarette smoking impairs rotator cuff healing, but no study, to our knowledge, has focused on the association between heated tobacco products and rotator cuff tears. METHODS: This study retrospectively investigated 1,133 patients who underwent arthroscopic repair of symptomatic rotator cuff tears between March 2011 and April 2021. Patients were grouped on the basis of their smoking patterns as nonsmokers, cigarette smokers, and heated tobacco smokers. Propensity score matching was used to reduce selection bias, and 45 subjects were selected from each group via 1:1:1 matching. Functional scores and active range of motion were compared among the 3 groups preoperatively and at a 2-year follow-up. Postoperative magnetic resonance imaging was performed 6 months after the surgical procedure to assess structural integrity. RESULTS: Except for sex, similar baseline characteristics were achieved after propensity score matching. There were no differences in the clinical scores or range of motion between the matched groups either preoperatively or at the 2-year follow-up. However, the retear rate for the matched nonsmoker group was significantly lower (8.9%) than those for the matched cigarette smoker group (31.1%) and the heated tobacco smoker group (28.9%) (p = 0.022). Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that the retear rates were 3.403 times higher for the cigarette smoker group and 3.397 times higher for the heated tobacco smoker group than that for the nonsmoker group. CONCLUSIONS: Heated tobacco users, like conventional cigarette smokers, have worse clinical outcomes with respect to rotator cuff healing than nonsmokers. Regardless of the type of cigarette, abstinence from smoking is necessary for patients undergoing rotator cuff repair surgery. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic Level III . See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Comparing the Biomechanical Stability of Cerclage Cable with Plate Insert Versus Locking Screw in Periprosthetic Humeral Fracture.

BACKGROUND: In the setting of periprosthetic humeral fractures, the humeral stem of the implant represents a substantial challenge to the optimal method of proximal fixation. This study aimed to compare the initial biomechanical stability provided by cerclage cables with a locking plate insert versus bicortical locking screws (i.e., the gold standard for fixation) in fresh cadaveric humeri. METHODS: After calculating the sample size, we utilized 10 sets of cadaveric specimens and created a 5-mm osteotomy gap 120 mm distal to the tip of the greater tuberosity, simulating a Wright and Cofield type-B periprosthetic humeral fracture on each specimen. Using 3 locking screws for distal fragment fixation, identical in all specimens, the specimens were assigned to Group A (3 cerclage cables with a plate insert) or Group B (3 locking bicortical screws) for proximal fragment fixation. Biomechanical tests included stiffness in varus and valgus bending, torsion, and axial compression, and a single load to failure. RESULTS: No significant differences were observed in the biomechanical metrics between the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our study revealed that fixation with use of cerclage cables with a plate insert demonstrated biomechanical stability comparable with that of bicortical locking screw fixation when addressing the proximal fragment in Wright and Cofield type-B periprosthetic humeral fractures. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: For proximal fragment fixation of periprosthetic humeral fractures, cerclage cables with a plate insert can be utilized as an effective fixation method that offers initial fixation strength that is comparable to the use of 3 locking bicortical screws.

The Treatment of Periprosthetic Fracture Revision of the Humerus with "Bamboo Support" Structural Allograft Technique-Atrophic Non-Union of a Post-Operative Periprosthetic Fracture after Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty: A Case Report.

Periprosthetic fractures are a serious complication of joint replacement surgery. With the growing prevalence of reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA), the incidence of relatively uncommon periprosthetic humeral fractures has increased. Here, we present the unique case of a 74-year-old woman who developed atrophic non-union after plate osteosynthesis for a periprosthetic fracture associated with RTSA. Fixation failure was evident 3 months after the surgical intervention; the patient underwent a 3-month course of arm sling immobilization. However, bone resorption continued, and varus angulation of the fracture developed. In this case, surgical strategy involved the use of long proximal humerus internal locked system plate (DePuy Synthes, Paoli, PA, USA), augmented with autologous iliac bone graft and allogenic humerus structural bone graft with the "bamboo support technique", fixed with Cable System (DePuy Synthes, Paoli, PA, USA). No reports have addressed the management of failed periprosthetic fractures using allogeneic humeral strut bone grafts. This report aims to fill the gap by presenting a novel surgical technique for the management of periprosthetic fractures associated with RTSA in case of treatment failure.

Congruent Concavity Restoration of the Reconstructed Glenoid After the Latarjet Procedure: Compensation for the Position of the Graft.

BACKGROUND: Few clinical studies have addressed concavity restoration by natural remodeling after a Latarjet procedure. This study investigated the fibrous tissue and osseous remodeling of the reconstructed glenoid and concavity restoration after a Latarjet procedure using postoperative computed tomographic arthrography (CTA). METHODS: This retrospective study included 31 patients who underwent immediate postoperative computed tomographic (CT) scanning followed by CTA at 6 months postoperatively. We investigated whether fibrous tissue was newly created over the graft, whether the created fibrous tissue restored the congruity of the articular surface and the osseous remodeling of the graft to the glenoid level (whether the osseous portion of the graft was remodeled flush to the glenoid level) and the concavity of the glenoid using the radius of a best-fit circle on the articular surface, and the relationship between the amount of created fibrous tissue and the position of the graft. RESULTS: In all patients, the fibrous tissue on the graft yielded a smooth articular surface, as revealed by the CTA. The mean radius of the entire glenoid, including the transferred graft, was significantly smaller (p = 0.010) at 33.2 ± 8.5 mm than that of the glenoid posterior to the osseous step-off at 37.6 ± 9.4 mm, which is presumed to be the glenoid before the surgical procedure. Despite the congruity of the articular surfaces due to fibrous tissue seen in the CTA, 14 (45%) of 31 patients showed a subchondral osseous step-off on either the medial side or the lateral side in the immediate postoperative CT scans. However, through osseous remodeling, 8 of the 10 grafts with a lateral step-off and 2 of the 4 grafts with a medial step-off converted to a flush position. The position of the step-off was correlated with the thickness of the fibrous tissue, with a tendency for thicker tissue in cases of a step-off on the medial side (p = 0.014). CONCLUSIONS: Fibrous tissue formation plus remodeling of the transferred graft resulted in the restoration of a congruent concavity after a Latarjet procedure by compensating for initially non-flush positioning of the graft. However, due to the small sample size in our study, clinical outcomes could not be correlated with radiographic findings, and our recommendation is to continue placing the graft as anatomically as possible. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level IV . See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Robot-assisted orthopedic surgeries around shoulder joint: where we are?

This study aims to comprehensively review the current literatures about robot-assisted techniques for shoulder joint arthroplasty and also in experimental articles or case series about around shoulder soft tissue surgeries including arthroscopy, tendon transfer and brachial plexus surgeries. This article evaluates the existing literature and clinical studies to suggests future direction of robotic-assisted techniques in shoulder joint surgeries. Robotic surgery has emerged as an innovative and transformative technology in orthopedics, offering advancements in surgical precision and optimization particularly during total hip and knee arthroplasty. In shoulder joint, patients specific instrumentation with preoperative planning and intraoperative navigation system are being used. Robotic-assisted shoulder arthroplasty will be introduced. In soft tissue surgery, robot-assisted tendon transfer and around brachial plexus surgeries is being clinically tried. In additions, postoperative robot-assisted rehabilitation after may have potential advantages. With the overall development of several industries including robotic technology, robot-assisted pre-, intra- and post-operative techniques could be an essential part of the overall shoulder surgery. However, further research and larger-scale studies are needed to establish its long-term efficacy, and potential complications.

Radial versus dorsal plating for trapeziometacarpal arthrodesis: a comparative biomechanical study.

Trapeziometacarpal arthrodesis is used for the treatment of advanced arthritis. Insufficient stabilization of the joint may lead to nonunion or hardware problems after arthrodesis. The purpose of this study was to compare the biomechanical properties of dorsal versus radial plate fixation of the trapeziometacarpal joint in ten pairs of fresh-frozen cadaveric hands. The biomechanical performance of each group was measured for stiffness in extension and flexion and load to failure using cantilever bending tests. The stiffness in extension was lower in the dorsally positioned group than in the radially positioned group (12.1 versus 15.2 N/mm, respectively). Load to failure was comparable between both groups (53.9 versus 50.9 N, respectively). A radially positioned locking plate for trapeziometacarpal arthrodesis may be biomechanically advantageous.

High failure rate after conservative treatment for recurrent shoulder dislocation without subjective apprehension on physical examination.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the outcomes of conservative treatment for recurrent shoulder dislocation without subjective apprehension, despite the presence of a Bankart lesion or glenoid defect. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed for 92 patients with recurrent shoulder dislocation treated with conservative treatment due to negative apprehension between 2009 and 2018. The failure of the conservative treatment was defined as a dislocation or subluxation episode or subjective feeling of instability based on a positive apprehension. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate failure rates over time, and a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was constructed to determine a cut-off value for a glenoid defect. The clinical outcomes were compared between patients who completed conservative treatment without recurrence of instability (Group A) and those who failed and subsequently underwent surgical treatment (Group B) using shoulder functional scores and sports/recreation activity level. RESULTS: This retrospective study included 61 of 92 eligible patients with recurrent shoulder dislocation. Among the 61 patients, conservative treatment failed in 46 (75.4%) over the 2-year study period. The cut-off value for a glenoid defect was 14.4%. The association between glenoid defect size (≥ 14.4% or as a continuous variable) and survival was statistically significant (p = 0.039 and p < 0.001, respectively). The mean glenoid defect size in Group B increased from 14.6 ± 3.0% to 17.3 ± 3.1% (p < 0.001), and clinical outcomes for Group A were inferior to those for Group B at the 24-month follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Conservative treatment for recurrent shoulder dislocation in patients without subjective apprehension showed a high failure rate during the study period, especially if the glenoid defect was ≥ 14.4% in size. Despite clinical improvement in patients who completed conservative treatment without recurrence, functional outcome scores and sport/recreation activity levels were better in the patients who underwent arthroscopic Bankart repair. Therefore, for recurrent anterior shoulder instability, even without subjective apprehension, surgical treatment is warranted over conservative treatment. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV.

Comparison of arthroscopic primary and revision Bankart repair for capsulolabral restoration: a matched-pair analysis.

INTRODUCTION: There have been no previous studies comparing serial radiologic results between primary and revision Bankart repair despite the significance of capsulolabral height and slope restoration. The purpose of this study was (1) to compare serially the height and slope of the repaired labrum in the early postoperative period among primary and revision Bankart repair groups, and (2) to compare clinical outcomes between the two groups. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included each 24 patients who underwent arthroscopic primary Bankart repair (Group A) and revision Bankart repair (Group B) matched by age, sex, and glenoid defect ratio. Postoperative serial radiologic assessment of the repaired labral height and slope was proceeded using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomographic arthrography (CTA) at 3 weeks and 6 months. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in labral height and slope at 3 weeks and 6 months postoperatively in Group A. However, significant reductions in labral height and slope were evident between 3 weeks and 6 months postoperatively in Group B (P < 0.05). Group A yielded superior results to Group B with respect to labral height and slope at each time point (P < 0.05) in between-group analyses. The clinical outcomes were not significantly different between the two groups except for the patients' return to their premorbid sports activity level (P = 0.024). CONCLUSIONS: The height and slope of the repaired capsulolabral structures in the early postoperative period after arthroscopic revision Bankart repair group were significantly lower than those of the primary Bankart repair group. Also the reduction of labral height and slope was significant in the revision Bankart repair group over time. Nonetheless, clinical outcomes did not differ significantly except return to premorbid sports activity level at final follow-up.

Subscapularis tendon tears hidden by the medial biceps sling can be missed on arthroscopic examination.

INTRODUCTION: To investigate (1) the prevalence of "hidden lesions" and "non-hidden lesions" of subscapularis tendon tears requiring repair during arthroscopic examination that would be missed by a 30° arthroscope, but could be identified by a 70° arthroscope, from the standard posterior portal and (2) the correlation of preoperative internal rotation weakness and findings of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) indicating hidden lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively examined 430 patients who underwent arthroscopic subscapularis repair between was initially nonvisible with a 30° arthroscope but became visible only with a 70° arthroscope from the standard posterior portal. The preoperative and intraoperative findings of the hidden lesion group (n = 82) were compared with those of the non-hidden lesion group (n = 348). 2016 and 2020. A hidden lesion was defined as a subscapularis tendon tear requiring repair that preoperative internal rotation weakness was assessed using the modified belly-press test. Preoperative MR images were reviewed using a systemic approach. RESULTS: The prevalence of hidden lesions was 19.1% (82/430). No significant difference was found in preoperative internal rotation weakness between the groups. Preoperative MRI showed a significantly lower detection rate in the hidden lesion group than in the non-hidden group (69.5% vs. 84.8%; P = 0.001). The hidden lesions were at a significantly earlier stage of subscapularis tendon tears than the non-hidden lesions, as revealed by the arthroscopic findings (Lafosse classification, degree of retraction; P = 0.003 for both) and MR findings (muscle atrophy, fatty infiltration; P = 0.001, P = 0.005, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Among the subscapularis tears requiring repair, 19.1% could be identified by a 70° arthroscope, but not by a 30° arthroscope, through the posterior portal. The hidden lesions showed a significantly lower detection rate on preoperative MRI than the non-hidden lesions. Thus, for subscapularis tears suspected on preoperative physical examination, the 70° arthroscope would be helpful to avoid a misdiagnosis.

Association Between Excessive Joint Laxity and a Wider Hill-Sachs Lesion in Anterior Shoulder Instability.

BACKGROUND: Excessive general joint laxity, a negative prognostic factor in joint instability, has not been studied to determine its relationship with bipolar bone loss in anterior shoulder instability. PURPOSE/HYPOTHESIS: This study aimed to investigate the characteristics of bipolar bone defects in the presence of excessive joint laxity and the clinical outcomes based on the on-track/off-track theory. We hypothesized that (1) patients with excessive joint laxity might have less significant bipolar bone defects compared with those without excessive joint laxity and (2) no significant difference would be found in the clinical outcomes, including recurrence rate. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. METHODS: This study included 81 patients who had undergone arthroscopic Bankart repair, with (group L; n = 33) or without (group N; n = 48) excessive joint laxity. The presence of excessive joint laxity was defined as a score of ≥4 using Beighton and Horan criteria preoperatively. Bipolar bone lesions were assessed using preoperative 3-dimensional computed tomography. Additional remplissage was performed for cases with off-track or positive engagement test in borderline on-track lesions. The functional outcomes at the 2-year follow-up were assessed using the recurrence rate, Subjective Shoulder Value, Rowe score, University of California Los Angeles shoulder score, active range of motion, and the sports/recreation activity level. RESULTS: No significant difference was found in the glenoid bone defect between groups (14.1%, group L; 14.4%, group N). Off-track lesions were identified in 39.4% (13/33) of group L and 14.6% (7/48) of group N (P = .011). The mean Hill-Sachs interval to glenoid track ratio was 83.1% in group L and 75.2% in group N (P = .021). Additional remplissage procedures were more frequently performed in group L (48.5%; 16/33) than in group N (16.7%; 8/48) (P = .002). However, no significant difference was observed in the shoulder functional scores and recurrence rates between the groups. CONCLUSION: Patients with anterior shoulder instability and excessive joint laxity had significantly wider Hill-Sachs lesions and more off-track lesions than did those with normal joint laxity despite the lack of a significant difference in the glenoid bone defect. However, these differences in the Hill-Sachs lesion were not related to differences in the functional outcomes between the groups.

Biomechanical evaluation of a modified proximal humeral locking plate application for distal extra-articular diaphyseal humeral fractures.

The extra-articular distal humerus locking plate (EADHP) is widely used for distal extra-articular diaphyseal humeral fracture fixation. However, it occasionally causes skin prominence and discomfort. The upside-down use of a proximal humerus internal locking system (PHILOS) plate is suggested as an alternative option, but it lacks biomechanical evidence. The purpose of this study was to compare the biomechanical performance between two different fixation methods: the modified use of the PHILOS plate on the anterior cortex versus conventional use of an EADHP on the posterior cortex. Twelve pairs of fresh-frozen cadaveric humeri were used and 7 mm gap osteotomy was performed at 50 mm proximal to the lateral epicondyle to simulate an AO/OTA 12-C1.3 fracture type. Single load to failure was measured after five stiffness tests of the plate-bone constructs in anterior/posterior bending, internal/external torsion, and axial compression. There were no significant differences in metrics between the two groups, except for the load to failure in posterior bending, which was significantly higher for PHILOS (1589.3 ± 234.5) compared to EADHP (1430.1 ± 188.6), p < .023. In conclusion, the modified use of the PHILOS plate showed comparable biomechanical performance compared to the conventional EADHP. The new fixation method offers potential clinical advantages, considering the patient's position and surgical approach at the time of surgery as well as postoperative soft tissue irritation. Therefore, this could be an option for distal humeral extra-articular diaphyseal fracture fixation when the use of EADHP is not suitable or preferred.