Ultrasound-Guided Percutaneous Tenotomy of the Long Head of Biceps Tendon in Patients with Symptomatic Complete Rotator Cuff Tear: In Vivo Non-contRolled Prospective Study
Luca Maria Sconfienza, Domenico Albano, Carmelo Messina, Salvatore Gitto, Vincenzo Guarrella, Carlo Perfetti, Ettore Taverna, Paolo Arrigoni, Pietro Randelli
Abstract
BACKGROUND: We prospectively tested technical feasibility and clinical outcome of percutaneous ultrasound-guided tenotomy of long head of biceps tendon (LHBT). METHODS: We included 11 patients (6 women; age: 73 ± 8.6 years) with symptomatic full-thickness rotator cuff tear and intact LHBT, in whom surgical repair was not possible/refused. After ultrasound-guided injection of local anesthetic, the LHBT was cut with a scalpel under continuous ultrasound monitoring until it became no longer visible. Pain was recorded before and at least six months after procedure. An eight-item questionnaire was administered to patients at follow-up. RESULTS: < 0.001). At follow-up, 5/11 patients were very satisfied, 5/11 satisfied and 1/11 neutral. One patient experienced cramping and very minimal pain in the biceps. Six patients had still moderate shoulder pain, 1/11 minimal pain, 2/11 very minimal pain, while 2/11 had no pain. No patients had weakness in elbow flexion nor limits of daily activities due to LHBT. One patient showed Popeye deformity. All patients would undergo ultrasound-guided tenotomy again. CONCLUSION: ultrasound-guided percutaneous LHBT tenotomy is technically feasible and effective.