Patient Positioning in Shoulder Arthroscopy: Which is Best?

Concomitant Procedures, Black Race, Male Sex, and General Anesthesia Show Fair Predictive Value for Prolonged Rotator Cuff Repair Operative Time: Analysis of the National Quality Improvement Program Database Using Machine Learning

PURPOSE

To develop machine learning models using the American College of Surgeons National Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP) database to predict prolonged operative time (POT) for rotator cuff repair (RCR), as well as use the trained machine learning models, cross-referenced with traditional multivariate logistic regression (MLR), to determine the key perioperative variables that may predict POT for RCR.

METHODS

Data were obtained from a large national database (ACS-NSQIP) from 2021. Patients with unilateral RCR procedures were included. Demographic, preoperative, and operative variables were analyzed. An MLR model and various other machine learning techniques, including random forest (RF) and artificial neural network, were compared using area under the curve, calibration, Brier score, and decision curve analysis. Feature importance was identified from the overall best-performing model.

RESULTS

A total of 6,690 patients met inclusion criteria. The RF machine learning model had the highest area under the curve upon internal validation (0.706) and the lowest Brier score (0.15), outperforming the other models. The RF model also demonstrated strong performance upon assessment of the calibration curves (slope = 0.86, intercept = 0.08) and decision curve analysis. The model identified concomitant procedure, specifically labral repair and biceps tenodesis, as the most important variable for determining POT, followed by age <30 years, Black or African American race, male sex, and general anesthesia.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the advanced machine learning models used in this study, the ACS-NSQIP data set was only able to fairly predict POT following RCR. The RF model identified concomitant procedures, specifically labral repair and biceps tenodesis, as the most important variables for determining POT. Additionally, demographic factors such as age <30 years, Black race, and general anesthesia were significant predictors. While male sex was identified as important in the RF model, the MLR model indicated that its predictive value is primarily in conjunction with specific procedures like biceps tenodesis and subacromial decompression.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV, retrospective comparative prognostic trial.

Delayed tension pneumothorax 2 days after shoulder arthroscopic rotator cuff repair: a case report

BACKGROUND

The report of tension pneumothorax after shoulder arthroscopy is very rare, and it is easy to be misdiagnosed and missed clinically, thus delaying the treatment of patients and endangering their lives.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 68-year-old woman was admitted to the joint surgery department. Chief complaint: left shoulder joint pain with limited movement for 6 months.

PHYSICAL EXAMINATION

lateral acromial tenderness (+), significant shoulder tenderness, Job sign (+), Hapolen sign (+), Lift off sign (+), forward flexion about 80°, abduction about 80°, external rotation about 30°, internal buckle and hip level. Magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) revealed a tear of the left supraspinatus muscle and edema in the rotator cuff space. Left rotator cuff repair and joint capsule release under arthroscope in lateral position were arranged for the patient. The patient's vital signs were stable during the operation and she returned to the ward safely. At 13:27 PM on the second day of the operation, sudden shortness of breath, sweating, poor spirit, able to respond to breathing, able to act as instructed, shortness of breath, both lungs and sporadic dry and wet rale, heart rhythm, not heard and obvious pathological murmurs were immediately treated with mask oxygen inhalation and sputum aspiration, and a small amount of white frothy sputum could be aspirated. Please consult the intensive care department immediately. Subsequently, the Peripheral oxygen saturation. (SPO2) of the patient gradually decreased to 60%, and the patient was lethargic and given balloon assisted ventilation, the oxygen saturation remained between 57% and 65%. The patient's vital signs were stable after immediate emergency treatment with endotracheal intubation. A physical examination on ward round the next morning revealed fullness of the chest and widening of the thorax. Tympanic sound was found on right thoracic percussion, but no respiratory sound was found on auscultation. The diagnosis was tension pneumothorax. The cardiothoracic surgeon immediately performed closed thoracic drainage in the third intercostal space on the right midline of the clavicle with a 20-gauge needle. Two days later, the right lung returned to normal. There was no lung discomfort during the six-month follow-up. She has returned to her pre-injury athletic level.

CONCLUSION

Delayed tension pneumothorax after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair is a very rare condition with no clear cause. Special attention should be paid to patients with sudden dyspnea after shoulder arthroscopy, and early diagnosis and treatment should be conducted according to the symptoms, signs and imaging examinations of patients to avoid misdiagnosis and missed diagnosis.

"Bankart Repair and Beyond. Anticipating difficulties and managing complications. Current concepts"

Anterior shoulder instability is a frequent complaint among young athletes. The Arthroscopic Bankart Repair (ABR) is a highly successful technique for restoring the native anatomy after a capsular and labrum avulsion lesion from the glenoid. The procedure has a low complication rate, and a large proportion of patients return to sports at the same pre-injury level. As a reliable surgical technique, ABR is rarely associated with intraoperative complications, but surgical details are critical to avoid struggling during the procedure. Postoperative complications, such as neurovascular injuries, infections, and stiffness, are significant concerns. In the long term, ABR's most common complications are the recurrence of instability and shoulder arthritis after the procedure. This article focuses on 1) the complications of ABR and the critical measures to prevent them, 2) additional techniques that can enhance primary ABR outcomes or address recurrences and failures, and 3) best practices to prevent shoulder arthritis after ABR.

Basics of Shoulder Arthroscopy Part II: Diagnostic Arthroscopy in the Beach-Chair Position

Shoulder arthroscopy is a popular modality for the treatment of shoulder pathology. Since its advent in the 1970s, significant advancements have been made in both technology and technique. Shoulder arthroscopy is performed in either the beach-chair or lateral decubitus positions, and each position has its unique benefits and considerations. Beach-chair positioning, initially described in the 1980s, has become the preferred method of positioning for most arthroscopic procedures. In this work, we describe the history of beach-chair positioning for shoulder arthroscopy. We outline a reproducible and teachable method for consistent and comprehensive diagnostic arthroscopy in the beach-chair position. Pearls, pitfalls, advantages, and disadvantages of diagnostic arthroscopy in this position are discussed. When properly executed, diagnostic arthroscopy in the beach-chair position can effectively identify and characterize intra-articular shoulder pathologies.

Effects of propofol versus sevoflurane on surgical field visibility during arthroscopic rotator cuff repair: a randomized trial

BACKGROUND

During arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (ARCR), clear surgical field visibility (SFV) is the basis of successful surgery, but the choice of anesthesia maintenance drugs may have different effects on SFV. In this study, we aimed to compare the effects of propofol- and sevoflurane-based general anesthesia on SFV in patients undergoing ARCR.

METHODS

Patients (n = 130) undergoing elective ARCR in the lateral decubitus position were randomized into either the propofol group or sevoflurane group (65 per group). The duration of surgery and increased pressure irrigation (IPI), Boezaart score, rocuronium consumption and usage of remifentanil were recorded. The time of both spontaneous respiration recovery and extubation and the incidences of postoperative nausea and vomiting and agitation were also recorded.

RESULTS

The Boezaart score, duration of IPI and ratio of the duration of IPI to the duration of surgery (IPI/S ratio) were similar between the groups (P > 0.05). Rocuronium consumption, number of patients requiring remifentanil infusion and total remifentanil consumption were significantly lower in the sevoflurane group (P < 0.05). The spontaneous respiration recovery time was significantly longer in the propofol group (P < 0.05), but there were no differences in the extubation time between the groups(P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with propofol, sevoflurane provides equally clear SFV while improving the convenience of anesthesia maintenance in ARCR patients with interscalene plexus (ISB) combined with general anesthesia.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

This single-center, prospective, RCT was retrospective registered at Chinese Clinical Trial Registry with the registration number ChiCTR2300072110 (02/06/2023).

Improving visualization in shoulder arthroscopy

Arthroscopic shoulder procedures are one of the most common procedures used to restore function through minimally invasive techniques. With the demand for shoulder arthroscopic procedures comes the need for safe, effective, and efficient surgery that maximizes patient outcomes while minimizing complications. Many variables contribute to visualization in shoulder arthroscopy including vascular anatomy, blood pressure control, arthroscopic pump systems, turbulence control, epinephrine, and tranexamic acid. Furthermore, patient positioning can have a dramatic effect on visualization with both the beach chair position and lateral decubitus positioning having various strengths and weaknesses depending on the intended procedure being performed. The purpose of this review is to examine the benefits and complications reported in the literature for improving visualization in shoulder arthroscopy.

Arthroscopic Removal of Extra-Articular Foreign Bodies From the Shoulder: Inside-Out Technique

Arthroscopic shoulder surgery can be performed for retrieval of bullets and retained metallic fragments in the glenohumeral and subacromial spaces. Previous case reports and case series have demonstrated the effectiveness of an arthroscopic approach over an open procedure, as it is less invasive, allows for improved inspection and documentation of the joint surfaces and periarticular structures, and potentially leads to a faster recovery. An arthroscopic approach for extracting foreign bodies from both the quadrilateral space and the posterior extra-articular space by first accessing the glenohumeral space has yet to be described. This inside-out technique may afford surgeons the potential for improved visualization and less morbidity compared with a traditional open posterior approach. We report a technique for an arthroscopic inside-out approach for removal of extra-articular foreign bodies retained in either the quadrilateral space or the posterior extra-articular space.

Pneumothorax After Shoulder Arthroscopy: A Rare Complication of Rotator Cuff Repair Surgery

Shoulder arthroscopy is considered a very safe surgical procedure; however, there are possible complications that are prevalent or devastating. This article presents a 52-year-old woman scheduled for elective arthroscopic rotator cuff repair under general anesthesia in the lateral decubitus position. Postoperatively, the patient experienced dyspnea, chest pain, and oxygen desaturation, and a diagnosis of pneumothorax was made. A chest tube was inserted promptly and the patient was discharged in a good condition, experiencing an uneventful follow-up for the next four months. Knowledge of this uncommon complication may enable both surgeons and anesthesiologists to set up preventive and early therapeutic management.

Surgical Position of Lateral-Tilted Supine is Suitable for Proximal Humeral Fracture Operations in Geriatric Patients

OBJECTIVE

To report a new surgical position of lateral-tilted supine (LTS) for geriatric proximal humeral fracture operations.

METHODS

Between January 2016 and December 2020, we adopted the LTS position for operations in 65 geriatric patients with proximal humeral fractures.

RESULTS

Sixty-five patients including 25 males and 40 females aged 80.3 ± 8.5 years. The LTS position could be used for almost all proximal humeral fracture surgeries, such as ORIF with plate, suture anchor, and other fixation in 4 patients, open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) with multiLoc nailing in 48, and shoulder hemiarthroplasty (SHA) in 13. Surgical position setting times were 11.47 ± 2.14 min. The systolic blood pressure changes before and after positioning were 15.07 ± 8.72 mmHg. All of the C-arm X-ray directions, including the cephalic side, contralateral side, and ipsilateral side, can be used in the LTS position surgeries. No surgical complications or no surgical position-related complications were found in these 65 cases.

CONCLUSION

The surgical position of LTS is suitable for geriatric proximal humeral fracture operations.

Beach-Chair Versus Lateral Decubitus Positioning for Arthroscopic Posterior Shoulder Labral Repair: A Retrospective Comparison of Clinical and Patient-Reported Outcomes

BACKGROUND

Both beach-chair and lateral decubitus patient positioning are often utilized for shoulder arthroscopy, with each offering its unique advantages and disadvantages. The surgical position is often selected according to each surgeon's preference, with no clear superiority of one position over the other.

PURPOSE/HYPOTHESIS

The purpose was to compare clinical and patient-reported outcomes between patients who underwent arthroscopic posterior labral repair in the beach-chair versus the lateral decubitus position. We hypothesized that patient positioning would not affect clinical and patient-reported outcomes.

STUDY DESIGN

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

METHODS

A list of all patients diagnosed with the Current Procedural Terminology codes 29806 and 29807 between 2015 and 2019 was obtained from the medical records. Patients were only included if arthroscopic posterior labral repair with or without concomitant superior labral anterior to posterior repair was confirmed. Data collected for eligible patients included the number of anchors used, perioperative and postoperative complications, redislocations, subjective instability, reoperation, and revision. Patients were also contacted to complete several patient-reported outcome surveys. Preoperative data, perioperative data, and postoperative outcomes were compared between patients who underwent surgery in the beach-chair versus lateral decubitus position.

RESULTS

Overall, 126 patients were included-69 patients underwent surgery in the lateral decubitus position and 57 in the beach-chair position-with a mean follow-up of 2.6 ± 1.7 years. There were no significant pre- or perioperative differences between groups. Rates of postoperative dislocations, subjective instability, reoperations, revisions, all complications, and return to sports rates also did not differ between groups (all, P > .05). Finally, there was no difference between groups regarding postoperative pain, function, and subjective instability scores (all, P > .05). Results of the multivariate regression analysis showed that increased age was a weak independent risk factor for subjective recurrent posterior shoulder instability (odds ratio, 1.04; P = .036).

CONCLUSION

Surgical positioning for arthroscopic posterior shoulder labral repair did not affect postoperative clinical and patient-reported outcomes. Both beach-chair and lateral decubitus position provided good outcomes for posterior shoulder labral repair, with an overall recurrence rate of 8.7%. Increased age was a weak independent risk factor for subjective recurrent instability.

Peripheral Nerve Injury After Upper-Extremity Surgery Performed Under Regional Anesthesia: A Systematic Review

Purpose

Peripheral nerve injury (PNI) is a known adverse event following upper-limb surgery performed under brachial plexus regional anesthesia (RA). When PNI is noted after surgery, patients and providers often have questions about which factors might have contributed to this complication. This systematic review evaluates the literature on hand and shoulder surgeries performed under ultrasound-guided, plexus RA to identify factors potentially associated with PNI, including the surgery location and block type. We hypothesized that shoulder surgery might be associated with an increased risk of PNI compared to hand surgery.

Methods

A systematic review of the relevant literature was performed in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Only prospective studies on the use of ultrasound-guided, preoperative, brachial plexus RA for hand or shoulder surgery on adult patients were included. Study groups were categorized according to surgery location and block type and compared across a number of factors via univariate and multivariate analyses.

Results

A total of 3,037 abstracts were screened; 192 full-text articles were independently reviewed by 2 of the authors; and 53 studies were included in the systematic review analysis. Following hand surgery, PNI was reported at an average rate of 1.35% ± 3.21% across 836 subjects in 40 study groups; after shoulder surgery, the average rate was 0.50% ± 1.57% across 3,383 subjects in 15 study groups. There was no statistically significant correlation between the incidence of PNI and surgery location (P =.70) or any of the most common approaches for brachial plexus anesthesia in the multivariate analysis.

Conclusions

This systematic review of over 50 articles on upper-limb surgery performed under RA shows no association between the incidence of PNI and the location of surgery or type of brachial plexus block.

Type of study/level of evidence

Diagnostic II.

Beach Chair Versus Lateral Decubitus Surgical Positioning for Arthroscopic Anterior Shoulder Stabilization: A Retrospective Comparison of Clinical and Patient-Reported Outcomes

Background:

Surgical positioning can affect both perioperative and postoperative complication rates. It is unclear whether beach-chair versus lateral decubitus positioning affects outcomes in patients undergoing arthroscopic anterior shoulder stabilization surgery.

Purpose:

The purpose of this study was to compare recurrent instability, complications, and patient-reported outcomes between patients who underwent arthroscopic anterior shoulder stabilization in the beach-chair versus the lateral decubitus positions. It was hypothesized that recurrent instability, complications, and patient-reported outcomes would not be affected by surgical positioning.

Study Design:

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

The authors reviewed the medical records of patients who underwent shoulder stabilization (Current Procedural Terminology codes 29806 and 29807) from 2015 to 2019. Patients were included only if anterior instability was confirmed, arthroscopic surgery was performed in response to shoulder instability, and a minimum of 2 years of follow-up data were available. Data collected for eligible patients included perioperative and postoperative complications, recurrent instability, reoperation, and revision. Patients also completed surveys for the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation (SANE) score, Oxford Shoulder Instability (OSI) score, and a return to any level of sport (RTS) questionnaire.

Results:

Overall, 294 patients (162 lateral decubitus and 132 beach-chair positions) were included, with an average follow-up of 2.4 ± 1.6 years. There were no significant differences in demographics between groups, nor were there differences in the rates of postoperative dislocations, subjective instability, reoperations, revisions, or complications. There was a trend toward a higher revision rate in the beach-chair group (beach-chair, 6.1% vs lateral decubitus, 1.9%; P = .069). There was no significant difference between groups regarding RTS rates or postoperative ASES, SANE, and OSI scores at 3.3 ± 1.1 years postoperatively.

Conclusion:

Surgical positioning for arthroscopic anterior shoulder stabilization did not significantly affect recurrent instability, complications, and patient-reported outcomes. Both beach-chair and lateral decubitus positioning provided good outcomes for anterior shoulder stabilization, with an overall recurrent dislocation rate of 7.8% at a mean of 3.3 years after surgery.

Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair and Subpectoral Biceps Tenodesis in the Lateral Decubitus Position

Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair can be performed with the patient in the beach-chair or lateral decubitus position. Patient positioning in shoulder arthroscopy is a critical step in surgical preparation and remains a debated topic. The lateral decubitus position is a reliable, safe, and effective position in which to perform nearly all types of shoulder arthroscopic procedures. The purpose of this Technical Note is to describe our preferred technique for performing arthroscopic rotator cuff repair with the patient in the lateral decubitus position, which portends several advantages, such as improved visualization of the glenohumeral space, ergonomic positioning, a low risk of cerebral hypoperfusion, and a shorter operating time.

Beach Chair Versus Lateral Decubitus Position: Differences in Suture Anchor Position and Number During Arthroscopic Anterior Shoulder Stabilization

BACKGROUND

Arthroscopic shoulder capsulolabral repair using glenoid-based suture anchor fixation provides consistently favorable outcomes for patients with anterior glenohumeral instability. To optimize outcomes, inferior anchor position, especially at the 6-o'clock position, has been emphasized. Proponents of both the beach-chair (BC) and lateral decubitus (LD) positions advocate that this anchor location can be consistently achieved in both positions.

HYPOTHESIS

Patient positioning would be associated with the surgeon-reported labral tear length, total number of anchors used, number of anchors in the inferior glenoid, and placement of an anchor at the 6-o'clock position.

STUDY DESIGN

Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3.

METHODS

This study was a cross-sectional analysis of a prospective multicenter cohort of patients undergoing primary arthroscopic anterior capsulolabral repair. Patient positioning in the BC versus LD position was determined by the operating surgeon and was not randomized. At the time of operative intervention, surgeon-reported labral tear length, total anchor number, anchor number in the inferior glenoid, and anchor placement at the 6-o'clock position were evaluated between BC and LD cohorts. Descriptive statistics and between-group differences (continuous: t test [normal distributions], Wilcoxon rank sum test [nonnormal distributions], and chi-square test [categorical]) were assessed.

RESULTS

In total, 714 patients underwent arthroscopic anterior capsulolabral repair (BC vs LD, 406 [56.9%] vs 308 [43.1%]). The surgeon-reported labral tear length was greater for patients having surgery in the LD position (BC vs LD [mean ± SD], 123.5°± 49° vs 132.3°± 44°; P = .012). The LD position was associated with more anchors placed in the inferior glenoid and more frequent placement of anchors at the 6-o'clock (BC vs LD, 22.4% vs 51.6%; P < .001). The LD position was more frequently associated with utilization of ≥4 total anchors (BC vs LD, 33.5% vs 46.1%; P < .001).

CONCLUSION

Surgeons utilizing the LD position for arthroscopic capsulolabral repair in patients with anterior shoulder instability more frequently placed anchors in the inferior glenoid and at the 6-o'clock position. Additionally, surgeon-reported labral tear length was longer when utilizing the LD position. These results suggest that patient positioning may influence the total number of anchors used, the number of anchors used in the inferior glenoid, and the frequency of anchor placement at the 6 o'clock position during arthroscopic capsulolabral repair for anterior shoulder instability. How these findings affect clinical outcomes warrants further study.

REGISTRATION

NCT02075775 (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier).

Perioperative anaesthetic considerations for rotator cuff repair surgeries: A current concept review

Surgeries for Rotator Cuff (RC) pathologies are required for either trauma or degenerative related aetiologies. Various surgical techniques from open to arthroscopic repair, are being undertaken by orthopaedic surgeons. Peri-operative anaesthetic management of the patients undergoing rotator cuff repair requires understanding the surgical procedure and patient status for optimal anaesthetic planning. Such management mandates a thorough pre-operative evaluation, including clinical history, examination, and relevant investigations. Patients with acute trauma associated Rotator Cuff (RC) tears should be assessed for visceral injuries using appropriate injury evaluation systems before such repairs. On the other hand, patients with degenerative tears tend to be older with associated comorbidities. Hence pre-operative optimisation is necessary according to risk stratification. Anaesthetic techniques for Rotator Cuff (RC) surgery include general anaesthesia or regional anaesthesia. These are individualised according to patient assessment and surgical procedure planned. Knowledge of relevant surgical anatomy is essential for intra-operative, and post-operative neural blockade techniques since optimal peri-operative analgesia improve overall patient recovery. The occurrence of a peri-operative complication should be recognised as timely management improves the patient-related surgical outcomes. We describe the relevance of surgical anatomy, the effect of patient positioning, irrigating fluids, various anaesthetic techniques and an overview of regional and medical interventions to manage pain in patients undergoing for Rotator Cuff (RC) surgery.

Outcomes of and factors influencing the arthroscopic treatment of rotator cuff injury with the patient in the lateral-lying and beach chair positions

To compare the postoperative effects of arthroscopy for rotator cuff injury with patients in the lateral-lying position (LLP) and beach chair position (BCP), and to identify factors influencing these effects.Data from patients with rotator cuff injuries who underwent shoulder arthroscopy in the LLP (n = 115, 53.24%) or BCP (n = 101, 46.76%) between January 2013 and 2016 and were followed for >3 years were analyzed. The American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons shoulder score, University of California at Los Angeles shoulder score (UCLASS), and visual analog scale (VAS) score were used to evaluate patients' shoulder function and pain preoperatively and at the last follow-up examination. The abduction and lateral rotation angles were measured. The influences of patient characteristics were compared between the LLP and BCP subgroups defined by UCLASSs (excellent, good, acceptable, poor).Postoperative injury characteristics, UCLASSs, and VAS scores were better in the LLP group than in the BCP group (all P < .05). Among patients with good UCLASSs, preoperative pain duration was longer in the LLP group than in the BCP group (P < .05); among those with acceptable UCLASSs, this duration was longer in the BCP group than in the LLP group (P < .05). The preoperative flexion angle differed between groups (P < .05). Among patients with excellent and good UCLASSs, the postoperative external rotation angle was greater in the LLP group than in the BCP group (P < .05). The LLP group contained more excellent UCLASSs than did the BCP group (P < .05). It also contained more small, medium, and large tear cases than did the BCP group (all P < .05).The effect of arthroscopy for rotator cuff injury was better when the operation was performed with the patient in the LLP. Either position is suitable for the arthroscopic treatment of partial rotator cuff tears. The LLP is more suitable in cases of small and medium-sized tears and those with large preoperative lateral rotation angles. The BCP should be used for patients with large preoperative flexion angles.

Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair in Supine Position

Considering shoulder arthroscopy, lateral decubitus and beach chair are the 2 main employed positionings of the patient. Each include advantages and disadvantages. In our center, we perform all shoulder arthroscopy with the patient in supine position. The aim of this work is to present a stepwise approach of the accomplishment of a rotator cuff repair in supine position. Some specific technical notes are given to provide as much information as possible to help orthopaedic surgeons wishing to perform shoulder cuff repair in this position.