Favorable Reoperation Rate at 2 Years Following Repair of Horizontal Cleavage Tears Using an All Suture‐Based Technique: A Prospective, Multicenter Trial
Peter R. Kurzweil, Aaron J. Krych, Adam W. Anz, F. Winston Gwathmey, Gregory J. Loren, Matthew Ryan Lavery, David C. Flanigan
Abstract
Purpose This prospective, multicenter trial evaluates the clinical success (as measured by reoperation rates and improvements in patient‐reported outcome measures) of using circumferential compression stitches with all‐suture techniques for horizontal cleavage tears (HCTs) of the meniscus. Methods Investigators enrolled 30 patients (mean age, 38.2 years; standard deviation, 11.1 years) aged 18 to 60 years with HCTs in the symptomatic compartment at 8 centers in the United States who underwent HCT repair with all‐suture circumferential stitches using a self‐retrieving all‐inside suture passing device. Postoperative follow‐up visits were conducted at 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years. Study outcomes included freedom from reoperation of the index meniscus repair site; knee pain and function, as measured by International Knee Documentation Committee Knee evaluation (IKDC), Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score, Lysholm Knee Scale, and Tegner Activity Scale; and serious complications observed during the study. Minimal clinically important difference at 1 year was assessed for IKDC and Lysholm. Results Twenty‐three patients had 2‐year follow‐up data available. Freedom from reoperation was 96.0% at 6 months (26/27, 91.7% at 1 year [23/25], and 82.6% at 2 years [19/23]). Significant improvement was observed in over baseline at 2 years for IKDC (36.7‐82.5; P < .001), Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (52.2‐89.3; P < .001), Lysholm (50.2‐87.4; P < .001), and Tegner scores (3.3‐5.3; P = .007). Minimal clinically important difference was met or exceeded for IKDC and Lysholm scores at 1 year 69.2% and 65.4% of patients, respectively. Four patients (6.7%) experienced serious complications, of which 2 were assessed as being related to the procedure. Conclusions Repair of HCTs using all‐suture circumferential stitches placed with a self‐retrieving all‐inside suture passing device leads to a favorable reoperation rate (17.4%), significant improvements in clinical outcomes, and an acceptable rate of serious complications (6.7%) at 2 years, supporting the viability of this treatment approach in this indication. Level of Evidence Level IV, therapeutic case series.