Poster 131: Loop 'N' Tack Tenodesis: A Multi-Center Retrospective Case Series of Clinical and Patient Reported Outcomes of a Novel Suture Technique for Proximal Biceps Tenodesis
Authors: Acosta Jonathan , Akhavan Sam , Frank Darren , Mosier Brian , Schweizer Scott , Burgess Aaron , Paci James , Sethi Paul , Brady Paul , Denard Patrick , Farmer Kevin , Yagnik Gautam , Nye Darin , Lavender Chad 
Published: October 2024

Objectives:

Tenodesis and tenotomy of the long head of the biceps are treatment options for a wide range of pathologies without clear superior technique or site of fixation. Tenotomy may result in a cosmetic “Popeye” deformity and fatigue pain. The Loop ‘N’ Tack technique is a quick, simple, and knotless technique for tenodesis of the long head of the biceps that can be completed entirely arthroscopically. The tensionless repair allows the biceps to scar within the biceps groove, thereby reducing subsidence and formation of a “Popeye" deformity and fatigue pain in the biceps seen with tenotomy alone while eliminating the ability to overtension. The primary objective will be to retrospectively report the clinical outcomes and associated complications of patients undergoing biceps tenodesis utilizing the Loop ‘N’ Tack technique at multiple institutions from 1/1/2015 – 7/25/2021.

Methods:

CPT procedure codes (29827,29823, 29826) were used to identify participants in the EHR (i.e., Epic) who underwent the Loop ‘N’ Tack biceps tenodesis technique by each author at 9 separate institutions. Patient reported outcomes (PRO) including Visual Analog Scale (VAS), American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Standardized Shoulder Assessment Form (ASES), Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation (SANE), UCLA Shoulder Rating Scale (UCLA), and Simple Shoulder Test (SST) were recorded at multiple time points throughout the patient’s preoperative and postoperative course. Scores were compared to the established minimal clinically important difference (MCID) for each PRO to assess the viability of this tenodesis technique. Additional metrics including bicipital groove pain, Popeye deformity, and need for revision surgery were also recorded.

Results:

1,473 patients were initially screened who underwent the Loop ‘N’ Tack biceps tenodesis technique. 82 patients were excluded secondary to limited follow up or lack of PRO data within the EHR. The average patient age was 64.7 years old with average follow up of 8.11 months. Mean preoperative PRO scores were 5.64 (2.13), 43.31 (20.38), 15.14 (3.52), 5.81 (1.92), and 49.24 (15.06) for the VAS, SANE, UCLA, SST, and ASES scores, respectively. Postoperative PRO scores at most recent follow up respectively measured 1.05 (1.66), 89.56 (17.06), 31.50 (4.01), 10.69 (1.92), and 89.48 (13.81). MCID was reached for each PRO at the 1-2 month mark postoperatively. 36 patients (2.6%) underwent revision surgery for biceps related pathology, while 40 patients (2.9%) required revision shoulder surgery for a separate pathology. Postoperative Popeye deformity was noted in 15 patients (1.08%).

Conclusions:

The Loop ‘N’ Tack technique results in high rates of patient satisfaction with improvement in shoulder related patient reported outcomes, low incidence of postoperative pain, and low rates of Popeye deformity. This case series establishes the Loop ‘N’ Tack technique as a viable tenodesis approach during shoulder arthroscopy for biceps related pathology.