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Background: Following the introduction of worktime regulations across the world along with existing concerns over the nonuniform nature of the traditional apprenticeship model, an alternative method for teaching surgical skills is being sought. Simulation training offers a safe and standardized environment to develop and improve surgical skills. The purpose of the present study was to review the existing and most recent research into the utility of arthroscopic simulators in training and the teaching of surgical skills., Methods: A systematic review of the MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases for English-language articles published between 2014 and November 2017 was conducted. Search terms included arthroscopy or arthroscopic with simulation or simulator., Results: We identified a total of 27 relevant studies involving simulated ankle, knee, shoulder, hip, and simple box arthroscopic environments. The majority of these studies demonstrated construct validity, while a few demonstrated transfer, face, and content validity., Conclusions: Our review suggests that there is a considerable evidence base regarding the use of arthroscopic simulators for training purposes. Further work should focus on the development of a standardized simulator training course that can be contrasted against current intraoperative training in large-scale multicenter trials with long-term follow-up.

Background: The chondral print (CP) sign is a chondral change on the humeral head underneath the long head of the biceps (LHB) tendon. Several suggested causative links have been described, but the pathologic mechanism remains unclear., Methods: We designed this prospective cohort association study of 102 consecutive shoulder arthroscopies to investigate proposed associations of CP with LHB, rotator cuff, labral pathology, and other chondral lesions. Data collection was by a specifically designed pro forma, and statistical analysis was performed., Results: We identified 24 patients (23.5%) with the CP sign. Patients were a mean age of 58 years. Shoulders with positive CP sign had associated pathologies: 16 superior labral anteroposterior (SLAP) tears, 4 LHB instabilities, and 11 other LHB lesions. We also recorded other chondral lesions, 10 humeral head and 12 on the glenoid surface. The overall arthroscopic appearance of CP signs could be classified into 3 different types. Statistical analysis revealed that the CP sign is not statistically associated with LHB instability, any other LHB pathologies, rotator cuff tears, or instability. The CP sign was statistically positively associated with SLAP lesions (but only if type 1 were included). There was a weak association of CP sign with age and a positive association of SLAP lesions with other (non-CP) humeral chondral lesions., Conclusions: Our prospective association study cannot determine the cause of the CP sign. It does not seem to be a reliable sign of LHB instability or of other LHB pathology. There is an association with age and degenerative SLAP lesions., (Crown Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: We performed a systematic review of the literature to determine the early and midterm outcomes of arthroscopic stabilization for posterior shoulder instability., Methods: We searched PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews for related articles published in the English language. The 2 authors selected studies for inclusion or exclusion. The inclusion criteria included a minimum of 1 year of follow-up, with at least 20 patients in the study population., Results: We included 6 studies, with a total of 387 patients (396 shoulders). All studies were retrospective, Level IV studies, except for 1 prospective study (Level II). In 81.06% of cases, patients reported a significant traumatic episode. The mean follow-up period was 44.4 months, and the mean recurrence rate was 5.37%. Most of the patients were able to return to sport (mean, 92.5%)., Conclusions: The early and midterm results of arthroscopic stabilization of the shoulder for posterior instability are promising. Most of the patients were satisfied with the results of surgery and were able to return to sport. Larger studies and more prospective randomized trials are needed to confirm these findings., Level of Evidence: Level IV, systematic review of 1 Level II study and 5 Level IV studies., (Copyright © 2015 Arthroscopy Association of North America. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Lesions of the long head of the biceps tendon are often associated with massive rotator cuff tears and may be responsible for shoulder pain and dysfunction. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical and radiographic outcomes of isolated arthroscopic biceps tenotomy or tenodesis as treatment for persistent shoulder pain and dysfunction due to an irreparable rotator cuff tear associated with a biceps lesion., Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of sixty-eight consecutive patients (mean age [and standard deviation], 68 +/- 6 years) in whom a total of seventy-two irreparable rotator cuff tears had been treated arthroscopically with biceps tenotomy or tenodesis. A simple tenotomy was performed in thirty-nine cases, and a tenodesis was performed in thirty-three. No associated acromioplasty was performed. All patients were evaluated clinically and radiographically by an independent observer at a mean of thirty-five months postoperatively., Results: Fifty-three patients (78%) were satisfied with the result. The mean Constant score improved from 46.3 +/- 11.9 points preoperatively to 66.5 +/- 16.3 points postoperatively (p < 0.001). A healthy-appearing teres minor on preoperative imaging was associated with significantly increased postoperative external rotation (40.4 degrees +/- 19.8 degrees compared with 18.1 degrees +/- 18.4 degrees ) and a significantly higher Constant score (p < 0.05 for both) compared with the values for the patients with an absent or atrophic teres minor preoperatively. Three patients with pseudoparalysis of the shoulder did not benefit from the procedure and did not regain active elevation above the horizontal level. In contrast, the fifteen patients with painful loss of active elevation recovered active elevation. The acromiohumeral distance decreased 1.1 +/- 1.9 mm on the average, and glenohumeral osteoarthritis developed in only one patient. The results did not differ between the tenotomy and tenodesis groups (mean Constant score, 61.2 +/- 18 points and 72.8 +/- 12 points, respectively). The "Popeye" sign was clinically apparent in twenty-four (62%) of the shoulders that had been treated with a tenotomy; of the sixteen patients who noticed it, none were bothered by it., Conclusions: Both arthroscopic biceps tenotomy and arthroscopic biceps tenodesis can effectively treat severe pain or dysfunction caused by an irreparable rotator cuff tear associated with a biceps lesion. Shoulder function is significantly inferior if the teres minor is atrophic or absent. Pseudoparalysis of the shoulder and severe rotator cuff arthropathy are contraindications to this procedure., Level of Evidence: Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions to Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Background: The higher failure rates reported with arthroscopic stabilization of traumatic, recurrent anterior shoulder instability compared with open stabilization remain a concern. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of arthroscopic Bankart repairs with the use of suture anchors and to identify risk factors related to postoperative recurrence of shoulder instability., Methods: Ninety-one consecutive patients underwent arthroscopic stabilization for recurrent anterior traumatic shoulder instability. The mean age (and standard deviation) at the time of surgery was 26.4 +/- 5.4 years. Seventy-one patients were male. Seventy-nine patients were involved in sports (forty, in high-risk sports). Capsulolabral reattachment and capsule retensioning was performed with use of absorbable suture anchors (mean, 4.3 anchors; range, two to seven anchors). All patients were prospectively followed, and, at the time of the last review, the patients were examined and assessed functionally by independent observers., Results: At a mean follow-up of thirty-six months, fourteen patients (15.3%) experienced recurrent instability: six sustained a frank dislocation and eight reported a subluxation. The mean delay to recurrence was 17.6 months. The risk of postoperative recurrence was significantly related to the presence of a bone defect, either on the glenoid side (a glenoid compression-fracture; p = 0.01) or on the humeral side (a large Hill-Sachs lesion; p = 0.05). By contrast, a glenoid separation-fracture was not associated with postoperative recurrent dislocation or subluxation. Recurrence of instability was significantly higher in patients with inferior shoulder hyperlaxity (p = 0.03) and/or anterior shoulder hyperlaxity (p = 0.01). On multivariate analysis, the presence of glenoid bone loss and inferior hyperlaxity led to a 75% recurrence rate (p < 0.001). Lastly, the number of suture-anchors was critical: patients who had three anchors or fewer were at higher risk for recurrent instability (p = 0.03)., Conclusions: In the treatment of traumatic recurrent anterior shoulder instability, patients with bone loss or with shoulder hyperlaxity are at risk for recurrent instability after arthroscopic Bankart repair. At least four anchor points should be used to obtain secure shoulder stabilization.

We describe a new technique to allow easy placement of anterior sutures and to improve the proximal capsular shift in arthroscopic anterior stabilization of the shoulder, which we call the temporary outside traction suture (TOTS). Two standard portals are used: posterior and anterosuperior. Using a curved suture hook, both the capsule and the labrum are perforated at approximately the 5-o'clock position, and a monofilament suture is passed through the tissues. The suture is first retrieved through the anterior canula and then placed outside the canula. After labrum detachment and glenoid preparation, 1 or 2 further inferior sutures can be placed before the first suture is retrieved inside the canula and used. The technique of the TOTS has many advantages. (1) It allows easy placement of the first suture before the anterior capsule and labrum have been released. This makes this step much more difficult due to the lack of tension in the anterior tissues and anterior subluxation of the humeral head. (2) It allows the surgeon to choose, with accuracy, the amount of capsule taken, according to the severity of the capsular lesions and the degree of capsular laxity. It can also allow anatomic recreation of the anterior band of the inferior glenohumeral ligament (IGHL). (3) By placing tension on the suture, it avoids damaging the anterior capsule and labrum with the shaver and burr while preparing the scapula neck and can aid with haemostasis. (4) Tension on the suture also allows one to easily place 1 or 2 further sutures in a lower position. (5) It avoids entangling the sutures in the canula. (6) It allows one to perform a capsular shift of approximately 10 to 15 mm when the traction suture is retrieved and implanted with an anchor in the 3- or even 2-o'clock position.

Background A number of radiographic signs have been previously demonstrated to be associated with degenerative rotator cuff tears. An ability to predict the presence of a tear by radiography would permit the early commencement of appropriate treatment and the avoidance of unnecessary invasive investigations. The aim of the present study was to determine the accuracy of using radiographic signs to predict the presence of a cuff tear on arthroscopy. Methods Fifty consecutive patients who had undergone shoulder arthroscopy and had pre-operative plain radiographs were included. Pre-operative radiographs were reviewed by a consultant shoulder surgeon, a consultant radiologist and a senior clinical fellow for the following signs: acromial spur; subjective reduction of subacromial space; sourcil sign; acromial acetabularization; os acromiale; greater tuberosity cortical irregularity; greater tuberosity sclerosis; humeral head rounding; cyst; and reduction in acromiohumeral head distance. Results The presence of tuberosity sclerosis (p < 0.0001), tuberosity irregularities (p < 0.0001), tuberosity cyst (p = 0.004) and sourcil sign (p = 0.019) was associated with the presence of a rotator cuff tear. The combined sensitivity of prediction of tear by the observers following radiographic review was 91.7%, with a combined negative predictive value of 80%. Conclusions The assessment of radiographs by senior clinicians is a useful tool for confirming the absence of a rotator cuff tear. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Background The blood loss associated with arthroscopic surgery has generally been considered to be minimal and not clinically relevant. However, there are currently no data available in the published literature to support this assumption. Methods The present prospective study used spectrophotometry of collected irrigation fluid to measure the blood loss associated with a variety of arthroscopic shoulder procedures conducted in 20 patients. Results Measured blood loss ranged from 1.22 mL to 36.45 mL. This confirmed that, even in lengthy arthroscopic procedures without a tourniquet, blood loss is minimal. Conclusions The results obtained in the present study confirm the presumed advantage of arthroscopic surgery in terms of blood loss, and also confirm that the full range of arthroscopic shoulder surgery can be safely performed, from a haemodynamic perspective, as day case procedures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main options for the treatment of wrist ganglia are reassurance, aspiration, arthroscopic resection and open excision. Variations within each option have been described and the literature is clouded by widespread variability in the results reported. We present the results of our own long-term retrospective study, review the literature and question the surgical risks and demands placed on healthcare resources. A retrospective review of the surgical results of dorsal and volar wrist ganglia excision between January 1998 and March 2005 was undertaken at a single institution. Of the 152 patients in this consecutive series, 117 (77%) patients responded to a telephone questionnaire. The mean length of follow-up in this series of 117 patients was 4.2 years (range 1.5- 8.7 years). The overall recurrence rate following excision of all wrist ganglia in this series was 41.8 %. When looking just at volar ganglia, the risk of recurrence is higher at 46.8%. Should the ganglion recur, the risk of developing a moderate to severely tender scar is 34.6% and the risk of developing an unsightly scar is 8.2%. This study questions the effectiveness of surgical excision in the treatment of wrist ganglia when performed by a mixture of surgeons in that the recurrence rates are very similar to the rates seen in studies that merely observe or aspirate wrist ganglia. We propose that for symptomatic ganglia, specialists in hand surgery may be more appropriate at treating such a pathology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]