Long head of biceps tendon transposition for massive and irreparable rotator cuff tears:A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND Superior capsular reconstruction(SCR)with long head of biceps tendon(LHBT)transposition was developed to massive and irreparable rotator cuff tears(MIRCTs);however,the outcomes of this technique remain unclear.AIM To perform a systematic review of biomechanical outcomes and a meta-analysis of clinical outcomes after LHBT transposition for MIRCTs.METHODS We performed a systematic electronic database search on PubMed,EMBASE,and Cochrane Library.Studies of SCR with LHBT transposition were included according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria.Biomechanical studies were assessed for main results and conclusions.Included clinical studies were evaluated for quality of methodology.Data including study characteristics,cohort demographics,and outcomes were extracted.A meta-analysis was conducted of the clinical outcomes.RESULTS According to our inclusion and exclusion criteria,a total of six biomechanical studies were identified and reported an overall improvement in subacromial contact pressures and prevention of superior humeral migration without limiting range of motion(ROM)after LHBT transposition for MIRCTs.A total of five clinical studies were included in the meta-analysis of LHBT transposition outcomes,consisting of 253 patients.The results indicated that compared to other surgical methods for MIRCTs,LHBT transposition had advantages of more significant improvement in ROM(forward flexion mean difference[MD]=6.54,95%confidence interval[CI]:3.07-10.01;external rotation[MD=5.15,95%CI:1.59-8.17];the acromiohumeral distance[AHD][MD=0.90,95%CI:0.21-1.59])and reducing retear rate(odds ratio=0.27,95%CI:0.15-0.48).No significant difference in American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score,visual analogue scale score,and University of California at Los Angles score was demonstrated between these two groups for MIRCTs.CONCLUSION In general,SCR with LHBT transposition was a reliable and economical technique for treating MIRCTs,both in terms of biomechanical and clinical outcomes,with comparable clinical outcomes,improved ROM,AHD,and reduced the retear rates compared to conventional SCR and other established techniques.More high-quality randomized controlled studies on the long-term outcomes of SCR with LHBT transposition are required to further assess.

Management of proximal biceps tendon pathology

The long head of the biceps tendon is widely recognized as an important pain generator,especially in anterior shoulder pain and dysfunction with athletes and working individuals.The purpose of this review is to provide a current understanding of the long head of the biceps tendon anatomy and its surrounding structures,function,and relevant clinical information such as evaluation,treatment options,and complications in hopes of helping orthopaedic surgeons counsel their patients.An understanding of the long head of the biceps tendon anatomy and its surrounding structures is helpful to determine normal function as well as pathologic injuries that stem proximally.The biceps-labral complex has been identified and broken down into different regions that can further enhance a physician’s knowledge of common anterior shoulder pain etiologies.Although various physical examination maneuvers exist meant to localize the anterior shoulder pain,the lack of specificity requires orthopaedic surgeons to rely on patient history,advanced imaging,and diagnostic injections in order to determine the patient’s next steps.Nonsurgical treatment options such as anti-inflammatory medications,physical therapy,and ultrasound-guided corticosteroid injections should be utilized before entertaining surgical treatment options.If surgery is needed,the three options include biceps tenotomy,biceps tenodesis,or superior labrum anterior to posterior repair.Specifically for biceps tenodesis,recent studies have analyzed open vs arthroscopic techniques,the ideal location of tenodesis with intra-articular,suprapectoral,subpectoral,extra-articular top of groove,and extra-articular bottom of groove approaches,and the best method of fixation using interference screws,suture anchors,or cortical buttons.Orthopaedic surgeons should be aware of the complications of each procedure and respond accordingly for each patient.Once treated,patients often have good to excellent clinical outcomes and low rates of complications.

Modified arthroscopic transfer of the long head of the biceps tendon to the conjoint tendon

The long head of the biceps tendon （LHBT） pathology has been implicated as a common source of shoulder pain. The patients may be more resistant to conservative treatment than those with isolated subacromial impingement. Even though, the surgical options of this disease remain controversial. It has been reported that tenotomy and tenodesis of the biceps tendon were usually utilized. However, persistent pain, deformity, and muscle cramping were frequently observed. Transfer of the LHBT to the conjoint tendon was originally described by Post and Benca in 1982.4 Verma et all has performed the transfer under arthroscopy since 2004. Eighty percent of their patients reported good results with a minimum 2 years of follow-up. However, there was a steep learning curve to become proficient in their technique. We devised a more convenient transfer compared with O＇Brien＇s technique. Six patients received our modified arthroscopic transfers from May 2006 to May 2007. All of them obtained good results.