Long-term results after arthroscopic SLAP repair

Introduction. The increasing number of surgically treated superior labrum anterior to posterior (SLAP) lesions in the past decade calls for an investigation of the long-term clinical results and assessment of possible predictive factors that could have an influence on the postoperative outcome. Patients and methods. Out of 77 patients 60 were treated surgically with arthroscopic SLAP repair. Of these 78 % of the patients were available at final follow-up and the mean duration of follow-up was 57.7 months (range 26-94 months). All patients were followed up clinically by evaluation of the Constant- Murley (CMS), Rowe (RS) and the subjective shoulder value (SSV) scores. Patients were subdivided according to age at time of surgery, concomitant rotator cuff pathology, existing isolated SLAP lesions, existing accompanying injury, etiology of injury and pre-existing cartilage lesion at the time of surgery. Results. The median age and gender-adjusted CMS was 89 % (range 38-106 %). The average functionality of the operated shoulder in SSV was 90 % and 87 % of patients were very satisfied or satisfied with the clinical outcome. Both the age and generally accompanying lesions and in particular partial lesions of the rotator cuff had no effect on the postoperative outcome. Pre-existing cartilage lesions resulted in significantly lower functionality of the shoulder as part of the SSV (p=0.0221). Both absolute and age and gender-related CMS (p=0.0104) and SSV (p=0.0418) were significantly higher in the posttraumatic group than the group with degenerative etiology. Discussion. Clinical results after arthroscopic repair of SLAP lesions are stable in an average long-term of approximately 5 years. The degenerative and recurrent microtraumatic etiology and pre-existing cartilage damage can be predictive factors for a worse postoperative outcome.