Similar outcomes between biceps tenodesis and SLAP repair for SLAP tears in younger patients - A meta-analysis

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to systematically review the comparative studies in the literature to ascertain if biceps tenodesis or superior-labrum anterior to posterior (SLAP) repair results in superior clinical outcomes in the treatment of type II SLAP tears in patients under 40.

Methods: A systematic search of articles in Pubmed, EMBASE and The Cochrane Library databases was carried out according to the PRISMA guidelines. Cohort studies comparing biceps tenodesis to repair in type II SLAP tears in patients under 40 were included. Clinical outcomes were extracted including return to play, reoperations, ASES, and VAS for pain. All statistical analysis was performed using Review Manager. A p-value of <0.05 was considered to be statistically significant.

Results: Five studies were included. Biceps tenodesis resulted in comparable rates of return to play compared to SLAP repair (78.5% vs 67.7%, p ​= ​0.33), and there was no significant difference in return to play in overhead athletes (83.6% vs 74%, p ​= ​0.82). There was no significant difference in ASES score (87.2 vs 86.2, p ​= ​0.27) or VAS score for pain (1.8 vs 2.1, p ​= ​0.48). There was no significant difference in re-operation rates (2.9% vs 10.8%, p ​= ​0.22).

Conclusion: This study found that biceps tenodesis has no significant difference in rates of return to play in athletes, as well as in functional outcome scores and rates of revision surgery in younger patients compared to SLAP repair.

Level of evidence: Level III, Systematic review of Level III studies.