Tenotomy or tenodesis versus conservation of the long head of the biceps tendon in the repair of isolated supraspinatus tears: A systematic review of the literature

Abstract

Background: Few studies have directly compared the outcomes of rotator cuff repair (RCR) with or without concomitant LHBT tenotomy or tenodesis. The aim of this literature review was to assess: (i) whether an adjuvant procedure on the LHBT at the time of RCR gives better functional results than RCR alone; and (ii) whether reoperation rates are higher after RCR alone or RCR+tenotomy or tenodesis.

Methods: A literature search was carried out on PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science and the Cochrane database for papers published in English or French between 1st January, 2010, and 31st December, 2021. Included studies compared the results of RCR alone with RCR+concomitant tenotomy or tenodesis in patients with tears of the supraspinatus tendon or rotator cuff.

Articles: A total of 626 articles were identified in the literature search and 168 were retained for more detailed examination. Forty-seven articles were read in their entirety and nine articles comparing RCR with or without concomitant tenotomy or tenodesis of the LHBT were retained for the analysis.

Results: Nine articles comparing the results of RCR alone versus RCR+LHBT tenotomy or tenodesis were reviewed. The majority of patients were more than 50 years old and male. The rate of lesions to the LHBT in the studies included ranged from 26.8-60.2%. Eight of the nine studies compared the functional results of RCR alone versus RCR+tenotomy or tenodesis, with six reporting no significant difference, one reporting better outcomes after concomitant biceps surgery and one reporting worse outcomes after a biceps procedure.

Discussion: This review did not provide a strong answer to our questions, owing to the heterogenicity of clinical evaluation and low level of evidence of the studies. However, it appears that in the absence of biceps pathology or in the presence of small lesions, the LHBT could be preserved. The rate of revision did not seem to be higher and cuff healing lower in this situation. Therefore, further randomized studies are required to identify the role of concomitant procedure of the biceps in case of small isolated supraspinatus repair.

Level of evidence: III; systematic review.

Keywords: Biceps; Rotator Cuff; Rupture; Tenodesis; Tenotomy.