Short-Term Clinical and Return-to-Work Outcomes After Arthroscopic Suprapectoral Onlay Biceps Tenodesis With a Single Suture Anchor.

PURPOSE: To describe short-term outcomes of arthroscopic suprapectoral onlay biceps tenodesis using a single all-suture anchor with respect to validated outcome measures, return to work, objective strength and motion data, and biceps-specific testing. METHODS: This study describes a consecutive series of patients undergoing arthroscopic suprapectoral onlay biceps tenodesis performed by a single surgeon from January to December 2017. Patients were evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively with the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons questionnaire, visual analog scale, Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation, Veterans RAND 12-Item Health Survey, and 12-Item Short Form survey, and return-to-work survey. Postoperative strength, range of motion, and biceps-specific testing was also performed. RESULTS: This study included 50 patients (26 men and 24 women), with an average age (± standard deviation) of 50.1 ± 10.9 years and average final follow-up of 21.3 ± 8.5 months. Among employed patients, 32 (71.1%) returned to work at an average of 4.6 ± 2.3 months. Light-duty workers returned to work at a significantly greater rate (85.7% vs 33.3%, P = .016) and in less time (2.6 ± 2.0 months vs 6.8 ± 4.2 months) than heavy-duty workers. No differences were found between operative and nonoperative sides in the biceps apex distance (P = .636) or range of motion in elbow flexion and extension (P > .9 for both), supination (P = .192), or pronation (P = .343) postoperatively. Strength in elbow flexion (P = .002), as well as shoulder forward elevation (P < .001) and external rotation (P < .001), increased postoperatively. Significant patient-reported improvements were noted in the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score, visual analog scale pain score, Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation score, Constant-Murley score, and Veterans RAND 12-Item Health Survey and 12-Item Short Form physical component scores (P ≤ .001 for all). A postoperative Popeye deformity developed in 5 patients (10%). CONCLUSIONS: Arthroscopic suprapectoral onlay biceps tenodesis with a single all-suture anchor can provide overall excellent clinical outcomes regarding strength, motion, and validated patient-reported outcome questionnaires. Return to occupational activities may be less predictable and more prolonged for heavy laborers. A small number of patients may experience cosmetic deformity postoperatively. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, therapeutic case series.

Transtibial Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: Tips for a Successful Anatomic Reconstruction.

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is one of the most commonly performed orthopaedic sports procedures. Two main techniques are used for accomplishing an ACL reconstruction: transtibial and anteromedial portal techniques. The transtibial technique has been criticized for its inability to create an anatomic femoral tunnel given the intrinsic constraint of the tibial tunnel during drilling. However, technical modifications of the transtibial technique can result in anatomic tunnel entrance positioning and a properly oriented graft. This Technical Note presents our technique for anatomic transtibial ACL reconstruction.

ACL Reconstruction Graft Angle and Outcomes: Transtibial vs Anteromedial Reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: The importance of creating an anatomic anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction has been receiving significant attention. The best technique by which to achieve this anatomic reconstruction continues to be debated. The two most common methods are the transtibial (TT) and anteromedial (AM) techniques. Each has its advantages and disadvantages, and the literature comparing the two remains uncertain. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: In this prospective comparative study, we aimed to compare the ACL graft and tunnel angles achieved using the anatomic transtibial (TT) and anteromedial (AM) techniques; compare the ACL graft and tunnel angles in knees that have undergone ACL reconstruction and knees with intact ACLs; and determine whether differences in the graft or tunnel angle produce differences in clinical outcomes, as measured using both physical exam and patient-reported outcomes, after ACL reconstruction. METHODS: Patients who underwent primary ACL reconstruction with bone-tendon-bone grafts using a TT or AM technique were included. Femoral graft angle (FGA), tibial graft angle (TGA), and sagittal orientation of the reconstructed ACL and contralateral native ACL were measured on post-operative magnetic resonance imaging. Post-operatively, patients underwent measurement of knee stability and completed the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) survey. RESULTS: Twenty-nine patients were enrolled (AM group, 14; TT group, 15); at follow-up, KOOS data were available for 26 patients (13 in each group). There were no differences in sagittal ACL graft angle between groups or in comparison with the normal knee. The FGA was more vertical after TT reconstructions; the TGA was comparable between groups. There were no significant differences in 2-year post-operative physical exam measurements or in KOOS scores. CONCLUSION: Anatomic ACL angle was restored after reconstruction with both the TT and AM techniques, despite different FGAs. No significant differences in clinical outcome were noted between groups on physical exam or KOOS at 2 years after surgery. These results suggest that TT reconstruction results in a graft position similar to that seen in AM reconstruction and that the location of the intra-articular tunnel aperture matters more than the orientation of the tunnel.

Time to Achievement of Clinically Significant Outcomes After Isolated Arthroscopic Partial Meniscectomy: A Multivariate Analysis.

PURPOSE: To define the time required to achieve the minimally clinically important difference (MCID), substantial clinical benefit (SCB) and patient acceptable symptomatic state (PASS) for isolated arthroscopic partial meniscectomy (APM), and define preoperative and intraoperative factors that predict both early and late achievement of the stated metrics. METHODS: Patients who underwent isolated APM between 2014 and 2017 were retrospectively included. Patients without preoperative and 6-month patient-reported outcome measure scores, revision procedures, and significant concomitant procedures were excluded. The MCID, SCB, and PASS were calculated for knee-based patient-reported outcome measure scores using receiver operating curve analysis. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis established the time required to achieve MCID, SCB and PASS. Hazard ratios from multivariate Cox regression allowed for the isolation of demographic and intraoperative factors predictive of the delayed time required to achieve MCID, SCB and PASS. RESULTS: A total of 126 patients (42.86% female, age: 48.9 ± 12.4 years) were included. Overall achievement rates ranged between 73.0% and 89.7% for MCID, 43.7% and 68.2% for SCB, and 50.8% and 68.3% for PASS. Median achievement time for MCID was 5.68-5.78 months, 5.73-6.05 months for SCB and 6.54-7.72 months for PASS. Multivariate Cox regression identified older age, workers' compensation status, diabetes, and various tear types (i.e., longitudinal, transverse, bucket handle, complex) as predictors of early clinically significant outcome achievement (hazard ratio: 1.02-24.72), whereas subsequent steroid injection, higher preoperative scores and root and flap tears predicted delays in clinically significant outcome achievement (hazard ratio: 0.12-0.99). CONCLUSIONS: The majority of patients undergoing APM achieve benefit within 6 months of surgery, with diminishing proportions at later timepoints. Important factors for consideration of the the timeline of achieving clinically significant outcome include age, diabetes, workers' compensation, preoperative score, and tear type. The timeline for achieving improvement that was established by this study may aid in setting patient expectations and designing future outcome studies involving APM. STUDY DESIGN: Level IV, Therapeutic Case Series.

Time Required to Achieve Clinically Significant Outcomes After Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair.

BACKGROUND: Recent literature has focused on correlating statistically significant changes in outcome measures with clinically significant outcomes (CSOs). CSO benchmarks are being established for arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (RCR), but more remains to be defined about them. PURPOSE: To define the time-dependent nature of the minimal clinically important difference (MCID), substantial clinical benefit (SCB), and Patient Acceptable Symptomatic State (PASS) after RCR and to define what factors affect this time to CSO achievement. STUDY DESIGN: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. METHODS: An institutional registry was queried for patients who underwent arthroscopic RCR between 2014 and 2016 and completed preoperative, 6-month, 1-year, and 2-year patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). Threshold values for MCID, SCB, and PASS were obtained from previous literature for the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score (ASES), Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation (SANE), and subjective Constant score. The time in which patients achieved MCID, SCB, and PASS was calculated using Kaplan-Meier analysis. A Cox multivariate regression model was used to identify variables correlated with earlier or later achievement of CSOs. RESULTS: A total of 203 patients with an average age of 56.19 ± 9.96 years and average body mass index was 30.29 ± 6.49 were included. The time of mean achievement of MCID, SCB, and PASS for ASES was 5.77 ± 1.79 months, 6.22 ± 2.85 months, and 7.23 ± 3.81 months, respectively. The time of mean achievement of MCID, SCB, and PASS for SANE was 6.25 ± 2.42 months, 7.05 ± 4.10 months, and 9.26 ± 5.89 months, respectively. The time of mean achievement of MCID, SCB, and PASS for Constant was 6.94 ± 3.85 months, 7.13 ± 4.13 months, and 8.66 ± 5.46 months, respectively. Patients with dominant-sided surgery (hazard ratio [HR], 1.363; 95% CI, 1.065-1.745; P = .014) achieved CSOs earlier on ASES, while patients with workers' compensation status (HR, 0.752; 95% CI, 0.592-0.955; P = .019), who were current smokers (HR, 0.323; 95% CI, 0.119-0.882; P = .028), and with concomitant biceps tenodesis (HR, 0.763; 95% CI, 0.607-0.959; P = .021) achieved CSOs on ASES at later timepoints. Patients with distal clavicle excision (HR, 1.484; 95% CI, 1.028-2.143; P = .035) achieved CSOs earlier on SANE. Patients with distal clavicle excision (HR, 1.689; 95% CI, 1.183-2.411, P = .004) achieved CSOs earlier on Constant, while patients with workers' compensation insurance status (HR, 0.671; 95% CI, 0.506-0.891; P = .006) and partial-thickness tears (HR, 0.410; 95% CI, 0.250-0.671; P < .001) achieved CSOs later on Constant. Greater preoperative score was associated with delayed achievement of CSOs for ASES, SANE (HR, 0.993; 95% CI, 0.987-0.999; P = .020), and Constant (HR, 0.941; 95% CI, 0.928-0.962; P < .001). CONCLUSION: A majority of patients achieved MCID by 6 months after surgery. Dominant-sided surgery and concomitant distal clavicle excision resulted in faster CSO achievement, while workers' compensation status, concomitant biceps tenodesis, current smoking, partial-thickness rotator cuff tears, and higher preoperative PROMs resulted in delayed CSO achievement.

Arthroscopic Superior Capsular Reconstruction with Dermal Allograft for the Treatment of a Massive Irreparable Rotator Cuff Tear.

A massive, irreparable rotator cuff tear represents a challenging treatment scenario with respect to surgical intervention. Traditionally, surgical options have included reverse total shoulder arthroplasty, hemiarthroplasty, or rotator cuff repair; however, these techniques may not necessarily restore proper anatomy to the superior capsule, a structure implicated in the maintenance of subacromial contact pressures and the prevention of superior glenohumeral translation. Indications for arthroscopic superior capsular reconstruction include massive, irreparable supraspinatus and/or infraspinatus tears and failure of conservative treatment beyond subjective pain thresholds and dysfunction tolerability. Adequate latissimus dorsi, pectoralis major, and deltoid function helps to ensure the appropriate level of shoulder stability and the ability to complete the necessary rehabilitation protocol. The current surgical guide details the clinical evaluation, surgical technique, and rehabilitation protocol for patients undergoing arthroscopic superior capsular reconstruction for a massive, irreparable rotator cuff tear involving the subscapularis, supraspinatus, and infraspinatus. The procedure is performed arthroscopically with the patient in a beach-chair position, starting first with anterior and lateral portal placement for comprehensive diagnostic shoulder arthroscopy assessing rotator cuff damage. Single-row suture repair of the subscapularis and infraspinatus is performed, followed by concomitant subacromial bursectomy, decompression, and coracoplasty to aid in visualization, avoid graft abrasion, and provide access to marrow elements. Suture anchor placement, allograft fixation, and appropriate suture management are highlighted, as well as rehabilitation timelines, complications, and clinical pearls.

Quantifying the Opportunity Cost of Resident Involvement in Academic Orthopaedic Sports Medicine: A Matched-Pair Analysis.

PURPOSE: To quantify the cost of resident involvement in academic sports medicine by examining differences in operative time, relative value units (RVUs) per case, and RVUs per hour between attending-only cases and cases with resident involvement. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of common sports medicine procedures identified by Current Procedural Terminology code was performed using data from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database from 2006 to 2015. Matched cohorts were generated based on demographic variables, comorbidities, preoperative laboratory values, and surgical procedures. Bivariate analysis examined mean differences in operative time, RVUs per case, and RVUs per hour between attending-only cases and cases with resident involvement. A cost analysis was performed to quantify differences in RVUs generated per hour in terms of dollars per case. RESULTS: A total of 14,840 attending-only cases and 2,230 resident-involved cases were used to generate 2 matched cohorts (N = 4,460). Resident cases had greater mean operative times than attending-only cases, with operative time increasing as residents became more senior (P < .01). Residents participated in cases with larger mean RVUs per case (P < .01). Cases with lone attendings showed greater RVUs per hour (P < .01). The cost of resident involvement increased nearly 8-fold from postgraduate year 1 to postgraduate year 6 residents ($25.70 vs $200.07). CONCLUSIONS: In academic sports medicine, the involvement of resident physicians increases operative time. The associated decrease in attending physician efficiency in RVUs per hour equates to an average cost per case of $159.18, with costs increasing as residents become more senior. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, retrospective comparative trial.

A Comparison of Physical Therapy Protocols Between Open Latarjet Coracoid Transfer and Arthroscopic Bankart Repair.

CONTEXT: Recent studies examining return to sport after traumatic shoulder instability suggest faster return-to-sport time lines after bony stabilization when compared with soft tissue stabilization. The purpose of the current study was to define variability across online Latarjet rehabilitation protocols and to compare Latarjet with Bankart repair rehabilitation time lines. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: Online searches were utilized to identify publicly available rehabilitation protocols from Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME)-accredited academic orthopaedic surgery programs. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive epidemiology study. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 3. RESULTS: Of the 183 ACGME-accredited orthopaedic programs reviewed, 14 institutions (7.65%) had publicly available rehabilitation protocols. A web-based search yielded 17 additional protocols from private sports medicine practices. Of the 31 protocols included, 31 (100%) recommended postoperative sling use and 26 (84%) recommended elbow, wrist, and hand range of motion exercises. Full passive forward flexion goals averaged 3.22 ± 2.38 weeks postoperatively, active range of motion began on average at 5.22 ± 1.28 weeks, and normal scapulothoracic motion by 9.26 ± 4.8 weeks postoperatively. Twenty (65%) protocols provided specific recommendations for return to nonoverhead sport-specific activities, beginning at an average of 17 ± 2.8 weeks postoperatively. This was compared with overhead sports or throwing activities, for which 18 (58%) of protocols recommended beginning at a similar average of 17.1 ± 3.3 weeks. CONCLUSION: Similar to Bankart repair protocols, Latarjet rehabilitation protocols contain a high degree of variability with regard to exercises and motion goal recommendations. However, many milestones and start dates occur earlier in Latarjet protocols when compared with Bankart-specific protocols. Consequently, variability in the timing of rehabilitation goals may contribute to earlier return to play metrics identified in the broader literature for the Latarjet procedure when compared with arthroscopic Bankart repair. STRENGTH OF RECOMMENDATION TAXONOMY (SORT): Level C.

Accuracy of patient-specific instrumentation in shoulder arthroplasty: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: There has been significant recent emphasis on the use of patient-specific instrumentation (PSI) in shoulder arthroplasty. However, clinical data are lacking to support the increased time and expense associated with PSI. Our purposes were to determine whether PSI significantly improves implantation accuracy during total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) and to analyze available techniques and correlation with clinical outcomes. We hypothesized that PSI may improve glenoid component position radiographically but without correlation with clinical outcomes. METHODS: The MEDLINE, Scopus, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases were queried. Included articles reported use of any preoperative or intraoperative PSI techniques, models, or guides to assist with TSA prosthesis implantation. The primary outcomes were mean deviation from the preoperative plan in version (in degrees), inclination (in degrees), and entry-point offset on the glenoid (in millimeters). RESULTS: Among the included articles, 518 TSA procedures (352 anatomic and 166 reverse) were performed. The mean postoperative errors in both version and inclination angles were 5° or less in 20 articles (90.9%) using PSI. Meta-analysis revealed no statistically significant differences in version error (P > .999, I 2 = 64.6%), inclination error (P = .702, I 2 = 82.2%), or positional offset (P = .777, I 2 = 85.7%) between PSI and standard instrumentation. No data regarding patient-reported outcome measures, range of motion, strength, or glenoid component loosening and longevity were reported. CONCLUSIONS: Meta-analysis revealed no significant differences in accuracy between PSI and standard instrumentation. Although PSI may possess the potential to improve TSA techniques, further investigations regarding long-term clinical outcomes, impact on operating room time, and cost-effectiveness are warranted before PSI can be routinely recommended over conventional instrumentation.

The Impact of Workers' Compensation on Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Upper Extremity and Legacy Outcome Measures in Patients Undergoing Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair.

PURPOSE: To examine the preoperative performance of the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Upper Extremity (UE) Computer Adaptive Test (CAT) with respect to legacy scores in patients receiving rotator cuff repair (RCR). In addition, to define the impact of Workers' Compensation (WC) status on both performance and floor and ceiling effects. METHODS: The PROMIS UE CAT was administered preoperatively alongside legacy patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) to patients undergoing isolated arthroscopic RCR from November 2017 to September 2018. Performance was assessed using Spearman correlation coefficients, and floor and ceiling effects were examined. RESULTS: One hundred twenty-two patients (WC, n = 32; non-WC, n = 90; 62.3% male, 53.6 ± 11.5 years) were included. PROMs assessing physical function (r = 0.41-0.77) correlated more strongly to the PROMIS UE CAT than did multidomain or mental health PROMs (r = 0.25-0.61). In WC patients, the PROMIS UE CAT demonstrated diminished correlative strength relative to shoulder function PROMs. WC patients also demonstrated relative floor effects for Single Assessment Numerical Evaluation (SANE; 18.8%) and Constant-Murley (15.6%) and relative ceiling effects for the Brief Resilience Scale (53.1%), Short Form 12 Mental Component Score (50%), and Veterans Rand 12 Mental Component Score (53.1%) and were more likely to report the minimum SANE score (P < .01) and the maximum Brief Resilience Scale score (P < .01). No absolute or relative floor/ceiling effects for the PROMIS UE CAT were found. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with a non-WC cohort, WC patients have significantly lower preoperative PROMIS UE CAT scores, are more likely to report the absolute minimum and maximum scores for various PROMs, and demonstrated relative floor and ceiling effects for PROMs assessing mental health. The absence of significant floor/ceiling effects for the PROMIS UE CAT may suggest improved outcome discrimination and may support the adoption of PROMIS UE for the assessment of functional status in WC patients with rotator cuff pathology. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, retrospective comparative trial.

Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation (SANE) is a reliable metric to measure clinically significant improvements following shoulder arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation (SANE) offers a simple method of evaluating patients' sense of functional improvement after shoulder arthroplasty. METHODS: Patients receiving total shoulder arthroplasties were retrospectively queried between 2014 and 2017. Patients completed questionnaires involving SANE, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, and Constant scores at the 1-year interval. Minimal clinically important difference (MCID), substantial clinical benefit (SCB), and patient acceptable symptomatic state (PASS) were calculated using the anchor-based methodology. RESULTS: A total of 207 patients with an average age of 66.7 ± 10.3 years and a body mass index of 31.5 ± 7.3 were available for analysis. The SANE score was the only score to have acceptable area under curve (AUC) (70.5%) for achieving MCID with a cutoff of 28.8. In terms of SCB, ASES (88%) and SANE (70.5%) had acceptable AUC with cutoffs of 20.7 and 50.2, respectively. All 3 scores had excellent AUC (>80%) for PASS with cutoffs of 81.9, 75.5, and 24.5 for ASES, SANE, and Constant scores, respectively. Normalized SANE scores were weakly correlated with ASES and Subjective Constant after normalizing for scale (R2 < 0.4). Achieving MCID by SANE was correlated with achieving MCID by Constant (P < .001). Achieving SCB and PASS by SANE was correlated with achieving SCB and PASS by ASES and Constant (ASES: P = .007, P < .001; Constant: P < .001, P < .001). CONCLUSION: The present study establishes clinically significant outcomes for SANE. Achievement of clinically significant outcomes in SANE was correlated with achieving meaningful outcomes with legacy measures of ASES and Constant scores. SANE may be used as a simple and efficient measure of patient outcome after total shoulder arthroplasty.

Analysis of Return to Sport and Weight Training After Repair of the Pectoralis Major Tendon.

BACKGROUND: The use of routine patient-reported outcomes after repair of the pectoralis major tendon (PMT) is often prone to the ceiling effect owing to the high functional demand of those who sustain this injury. HYPOTHESIS: A significant number of patients are expected to fail to achieve return to preoperative activity after PMT repair despite achieving significant improvements in functional score. STUDY DESIGN: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. METHODS: A prospectively maintained institutional database was reviewed for all patients undergoing PMT repair from 2010 to 2016. Patients were surveyed with regard to pre- and postoperative participation in sports, level of intensity, maximum weight repetitions in exercises utilizing the PMT, and American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) and Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation (SANE) scores. RESULTS: Forty-four patients (73.3%) were available for final follow-up. All patients were male. Mean ± SD follow-up was 51.1 ± 24.1 months. Mean age was 39.6 ± 8.8 years (range, 24-61 years), and mean body mass index was 28.6 ± 3.5 kg/m2. The dominant side was affected in 20 of 44 cases. Acute repairs were performed in 30 cases and chronic in 14. There were statistically significant improvements in both ASES and SANE scores (P < .001). Return to sport at any level was achieved by 43 of 44 (97.7%) patients, while 22 of 44 patients (50.0%) reported returning to sport at the same or better intensity as preinjury status. On average, there was a 23.3% ± 45.6% decrease in 1-repetition maximum (1RM) barbell bench press, 14.7% ± 62.3% decrease in 5-repetition maximum barbell bench press, 24.3% ± 21.8% decrease in 1RM dumbbell bench press, 35.7% ± 32.1% decrease in 1RM dumbbell fly, and 15.6% ± 39.8% decrease in consecutive push-ups able to be performed. Seventeen patients (38.6%) reported a degree of apprehension that affected their ability to lift weights. When all preoperative variables were accounted for, history of surgery to the contralateral shoulder (odds ratio, 0.600; 95% CI, 0.389-0.925) was associated with a decreased likelihood of returning to sport at the same or better level of intensity, while injury sustained during sport had a greater likelihood (odds ratio, 2.231; 95% CI, 1.234-4.031). CONCLUSION: Patients undergoing PMT repair should expect significant functional improvements and a low complication rate. Yet, only 50% are able to return to preoperative intensity of sport, and they will also have significant reductions in their ability to weight lift.

Operative Time as an Independent and Modifiable Risk Factor for Short-Term Complications After Knee Arthroscopy.

PURPOSE: To determine whether operative time is an independent risk factor for 30-day complications after arthroscopic surgical procedures on the knee. METHODS: The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database was queried between 2005 and 2016 for all arthroscopic knee procedures including lateral release, loose body removal, synovectomy, chondroplasty, microfracture, and meniscectomy. Cases with concomitant procedures were excluded. Correlations between operative time and adverse events were controlled for variables such as age, sex, body mass index, patient comorbidities, and procedure using a multivariate Poisson regression with robust error variance. RESULTS: A total of 78,864 procedures met our inclusion and exclusion criteria. The mean age of patients was 51.0 ± 14.3 years; mean operative time, 31.2 ± 18.1 minutes; and mean body mass index, 31.0 ± 7.8. Arthroscopic lateral release (coefficient, 5.8; 95% confidence interval [CI], 4.8-6.8; P < .001), removal of loose bodies (coefficient, 4.2; 95% CI, 3.2-5.3; P < .001), synovectomy (coefficient, 1.8; 95% CI, 1.2-2.3; P < .001), and microfracture (coefficient, 6.5; 95% CI, 5.8-7.2; P < .001) had significantly greater durations of surgery in comparison with meniscectomy. The overall rate of adverse events was 1.24%. After we adjusted for demographic characteristics and the procedure, a 15-minute increase in operative duration was associated with an increased risk of transfusion (relative risk [RR], 1.5; 95% CI, 1.3-1.8; P < .001), death (RR, 1.6; 95% CI, 1.2-2.1; P = .005), dehiscence (RR, 1.6; 95% CI, 1.2-2.2; P = .002), surgical-site infection (RR, 1.3; 95% CI, 1.2-1.3; P = .001), sepsis (RR, 1.3; 95% CI, 1.2-1.4; P < .001), readmission (RR, 1.1; 95% CI, 1.1-1.2; P < .001), and extended length of stay (RR, 1.4; 95% CI, 1.3-1.4; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Marginal increases in operative time are associated with an increased risk of adverse events such as surgical-site infection, sepsis, extended length of stay, and readmission. Efforts should be made to maximize surgical efficiency. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, retrospective database study.

Open Biceps Tenodesis Associated With Slightly Greater Rate of 30-Day Complications Than Arthroscopic: A Propensity-Matched Analysis.

PURPOSE: To compare the early complication risk associated with open biceps tenodesis (OBT) and arthroscopic biceps tenodesis (ABT) and determine which preoperative factors may influence complication rate. METHODS: The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database was retrospectively queried from 2008 to 2016 for all procedures with CPT codes for ABT (29828) and OBT (23430). Patients were excluded if they received concomitant rotator cuff repair or shoulder arthroplasty. Patients undergoing OBT and ABT were matched by propensity scores based on age, body mass index, operative time, proportion of smokers, and proportion of concomitant subacromial decompression, distal clavicle excision, SLAP, and debridement. The incidence of adverse events in the 30-day postoperative period was compared. RESULTS: A total of 8,032 patients met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Prior to propensity match, patients receiving OBT and ABT, respectively, differed with respect to age (49.4 ± 13.8 vs 51.4 ± 13.2; P < .001), body mass index (29.6 ± 6.8 vs 29.9 ± 7.0; P = .029), and operative time (91.2 ± 51.3 vs 85.3 ± 43.4; P < .001). Following propensity match, 6,330 remained in the study (3,165 ABT and 3,165 OBT). OBT had significantly greater incidence of any adverse events (1.58% vs 0.95%; P = .032) and anemia requiring transfusion (0.35% vs 0%; P = .001). Multivariate analysis suggested that OBT (relative risk [RR] = 1.7, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.1-2.7; P = .020), old age (RR = 1.6, 95% CI, 1.0-2.5), history of dyspnea (RR = 3.8, 95% CI, 1.8-7.7; P < .001), and congestive heart failure (RR = 5.5, 95% CI, 1.3-22.7; P = .019) were associated with developing a postoperative adverse event within 30 days of surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Both procedures were found to have a low rate of complications, although OBT had a slightly greater (1.58% vs 0.95%) rate of 30-day complications than ABT. Early complication rate should not serve as impetus to direct surgical technique as number needed to treat is high, although ABT may be considered in more high-risk individuals. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, retrospective comparative database study.

Current Concepts in the Operative Management of Acromioclavicular Dislocations: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Operative Techniques.

BACKGROUND: Acromioclavicular (AC) instability is a frequent injury affecting young and athletic populations. Symptomatic, high-grade dislocations may be managed by a myriad of operative techniques that utilize different grafts to achieve reduction. Comparative data are lacking on the ability of these techniques to achieve excellent patient outcomes and stable AC reduction and to minimize complications. PURPOSE: To systematically review the outcomes and complications of different techniques of AC joint reconstruction. STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review and meta-analysis. METHODS: The MEDLINE, Scopus, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases were accessed to perform a systematic review of the scientific literature from 2000 to 2018 using the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) criteria with the following keywords: "acromioclavicular" and "reconstruction." Included articles were evaluated for loss of reduction, complication rate, revision rate, and change in coracoclavicular distance. Articles were stratified by graft and surgical material used: suture only, Endobutton with suture, TightRope, GraftRope, synthetic artificial ligament, tendon graft, and Weaver-Dunn coracoacromial ligament transfer. These outcomes were pooled using a random-effects model and stratified by surgical technique and arthroscopic versus open reconstruction. RESULTS: Fifty-eight articles were included in the analysis, with 63 homogeneous populations composed of 1704 patients. The mean age was 37.1 years (range, 15-80 years) with a mean follow-up of 34.3 months (range, 1.5-186 months). The overall failure rate was 20.8% (95% CI, 16.9%-25.2%). The overall pooled complication rate was 14.2% (95% CI, 10.5%-18.8%). The most common complications were infection (6.3% [95% CI, 4.7%-8.2%]), fracture to the coracoid or distal clavicle (5.7% [95% CI, 4.3%-7.6%]), and hardware/button failure (4.2% [95% CI, 3.1%-5.8%]). There were no differences between arthroscopic and open techniques in regard to loss of reduction (P = .858), overall complication rate (P = .774), and revision rate (P = .390). Open surgery had a greater rate of clavicular/coracoid fractures than arthroscopic surgery (P = .048). Heterogeneity, best assessed from the pooled loss of reduction, was measured as I2 = 64.0%. CONCLUSION: Open and arthroscopic AC joint reconstruction techniques have no differences in loss of reduction, the complication rate, and the revision rate based on the available literature. Complications are significant, and profiles vary between surgical techniques, which should be evaluated in the decision making of selecting the technique.

Arthroscopic Tenodesis of the Long Head Biceps Tendon Using a Double Lasso-Loop Suture Anchor Configuration.

Multiple different techniques exist for performing a biceps tenodesis, and the literature has yet to define a particular technique as superior with respect to outcomes. Factors as the center of various clinical and biomechanical studies include analyzing arthroscopic versus open techniques, optimal fixation sites, and the use specific fixation devices (i.e., anchor, screw). This article details an all-arthroscopic approach for proximal tenodesis of the long head of the biceps tendon (LHBT) using a 2-portal method in a minimally invasive manner. Optimal biomechanical fixation of the LHBT is achieve by using 2 suture anchors in the creation of a dual lasso-loop configuration at the level of the bicipital groove. Technical pearls with respect to optimal arthroscopic viewing, efficient identification of the LHBT and subsequent release from the bicipital groove, and appropriate use of suture anchors for lasso-loop creation are presented for review. Two specific technical advantages of this technique include 2 fixation points for the LHBT to minimize failure risk, and smaller drill holes when compared with commonly performed tenodesis screw techniques to theoretically limit humeral fracture risk.