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SLAP lesion type IX: case series and a review of literature

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European Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery & Traumatology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

A type IX SLAP (superior labrum anterior to posterior) lesion involves 360° of the glenohumeral labrum. Only rare reports have been published analyzing the risk factors of this lesion and the success of its arthroscopic management. The aim of our study is to evaluate predisposing factors that lead to SLAP IX and to assess the clinical outcome after arthroscopic treatment. Our treatment algorithm is also presented.

Methods

We report on a series of six patients treated in our institution between January 2014 and January 2019 who underwent shoulder arthroscopy and were intraoperatively found to have a SLAP lesion type IX. Arthroscopic labral repair and biceps tenodesis were indicated in all patients. American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) Shoulder Score, Rowe Score and Constant Murley Shoulder Score (CS) were used for clinical evaluation. Patients were evaluated preoperatively and at 12 weeks, 1 year and 2 years postoperatively.

Results

We analyzed six patients of which 83% were males (5/6 patients). The average age at the time of surgery was 37.16 (range 30–42 years). The dominant arm was affected in 50% of patients (3/6 patients). A significant postoperative improvement was seen in all six patients. 83% (5/6) of patients returned to their pre-injury activity level. Average values of all three measured scores show a significant increase comparing preoperative to postoperative period (P-value < 0.05). All patients were able to return to work.

Conclusions

The final diagnosis was established intraoperatively as 83% (5/6) of radiology reports differed from subsequent arthroscopic findings. The mechanism of injury in all our cases was high energy trauma with traction, arm in abduction or anteflexion. We observed great success with arthroscopic treatment as high percentage of our patients returned back to work and sports.

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Funding

No founding was received for this study.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Orthopaedic Hospital Valdoltra, Valdoltra Orthopaedic Hospital, Jadranska Cesta 31, 6280, Ankaran, Slovenia

    Benjamin Marjanovič, Tina Ušaj, Nino Mirnik & Marko Nabergoj

  2. Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Vrazov trg 2, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia

    Marko Nabergoj

  3. University Clinic for Surgical Diseases “St. Naum Ohridski”, Bul. 11th October No. 53, 1000, Skopje, North Macedonia

    Risto Todorov

Authors
  1. Benjamin Marjanovič
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  2. Tina Ušaj
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  3. Nino Mirnik
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  4. Risto Todorov
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  5. Marko Nabergoj
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Contributions

Conceptualization was done by B.M.; methodology was done by B.M.; formal analysis was done by M.N., investigation was done by B.M and M.N, resources were done by B.M.; data curation was done by B.M., T.U., R.T., N.M and M.N., writing was done by B.M., T.U., N.M. and M.N., writing—review and editing were done by B.M. and M.N.; project administration was done by B.M. and N.M. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Benjamin Marjanovič.

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Conflict of interest

The operating surgeon B.M. is a consultant at the company Zimmer Biomet. Other authors have no competing interests to declare that are relevant to the content of this article.

Ethical approval

Approved 6/2021, by Orthopaedic Hospital Valdoltra Ethical committee.

Informed consent

Informed consent forms from the patients were obtained.

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Marjanovič, B., Ušaj, T., Mirnik, N. et al. SLAP lesion type IX: case series and a review of literature. Eur J Orthop Surg Traumatol 33, 3337–3346 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00590-023-03547-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00590-023-03547-5

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