Easy and safe long head of the biceps tenodesis with all-suture anchor: 2-year follow-up

BACKGROUND: The long head of the biceps is an important cause of shoulder pain. Several biceps tenodesis techniques have been described. We investigated a mini-open tenodesis of the biceps at the pectoralis major tendon insertion using an all-suture anchor fixation device. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated patients treated with this technique between 2019 and 2021. Demographics, subjective shoulder value (SSV), American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) Score, and range of motion (ROM) associated surgical procedures, complications, and revision surgeries were recorded for each patient with a minimum follow-up of 2 years. A mini-open tenodesis of the long head of the biceps at the pectoralis major tendon insertion was performed using an all-suture anchor. Each surgical procedure was associated with shoulder arthroscopy and, if necessary, rotator cuff repair or other arthroscopic treatments. RESULTS: The study included 28 patients. The mean preoperative scores were 51.96 for SSV and 53.04 for ASES. At 1 and 2 years, the mean scores were 92.71 and 97.43 for the SSV, and 91.32 and 95.96 for the ASES, respectively. Of all the patients, 26 were treated for concomitant rotator cuff injuries. In one case, the associated arthroscopic procedure was a capsular release. Only one patient was treated without any other associated treatment. None of the patients presented with Popeye’s sign, and no intraoperative complications, safety issues, or surgical revisions were recorded. At the 1-year and 2-year follow-ups, no implant failures or problems with the device were detected. Pain at the site of tenodesis was noted in only one case. Clinical outcomes, as assessed by SSV and ASES scores, significantly improved. CONCLUSIONS: The use of all-suture anchors for tenodesis of the LHB at the pectoral level proved to be secure, reliable, and efficient.