Background: Biceps tenodesis (BT) is one alternative treatment to repair of superior labrum anterior to posterior (SLAP) tears. It can be performed as an arthroscopy or open procedure. While there have been studies comparing the outcomes of SLAP repair procedures with BT for the treatment of SLAP tears, literature comparing arthroscopic and open BT for the treatment of SLAP tears is limited. Additionally, no previous study has specifically examined the outcomes of these procedures in female patients.
Hypothesis/Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare outcomes following Arthroscopic BT and Open BT for SLAP tears in females. The authors hypothesized there would be no difference in outcomes between patients who underwent arthroscopic or open procedures.
Study Design: Retrospective Cohort (level III)
Methods: Female patients who underwent arthroscopic or open BT for treatment of SLAP tears between 1/1/2014 and 9/1/2019 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients undergoing a concomitant procedure were excluded. A minimum of 2 years postoperatively patients completed American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES), single assessment numerical evaluation (SANE), and visual analog scale (VAS), and a custom return to activity surveys.
Results: This study included 27 female patients; 14 (51.9%) underwent arthroscopic BT and 13 (48.1%) underwent open BT. There was no significant difference between cohorts in terms of age (P = .679), BMI (P = .382), Height (P = .989), Weight (P = .452), laterality of procedure (P = .678), or rate of surgery taking place on the dominant side (P = 1.000). Groups had similar post-operative ASES scores (85.9 vs 73.6, P = .238), SANE scores (81.4 vs 78.6, P = .922), VAS (16.8 vs 32.5, P = .248). Furthermore, rates of participation in sport prior to surgery (P = .236), rate of return to sport following surgery (P = 1.000), and time it took to return to sport (P = .915) were similar between groups.
Conclusion: Female patients undergoing surgical treatment of SLAP lesions with either arthroscopic or open BT show comparable subjective outcomes and return to sport at minimum 2 years. Further research is necessary to define precise treatment indications for this pathology in this specific female patient population
