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Tenotomy or Tenodesis of Long Head Biceps in Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair

Long Head Biceps Tenodesis or Tenotomy in Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair: An International Multicenter Prospective Randomized Clinical Trial

Status
Completed
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT02655848
Acronym
BITE
Enrollment
98
Registered
2016-01-14
Start date
2012-07-31
Completion date
2019-09-30
Last updated
2019-10-01

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Rotator Cuff Syndrome

Keywords

Popeye, Long Head Biceps Tendon, Arthroscopy, Functional result

Brief summary

During arthroscopic rotator cuff (infraspinatus/supraspinatus) repair, biceps tendon lesions are frequently encountered. However, the most optimal treatment of the diseased long head of the biceps (LHB) tendon during rotator cuff repair remains a topic of debate: tenotomy or tenodesis. The hypothesis is that there is no difference in functional outcome between LHB tenotomy and LHB tenodesis when performed in adjunct to arthroscopic rotator cuff repair.

Detailed description

Patients older than 50 years with a supraspinatus and/or infraspinatus tendon rupture sized smaller than 3cm, who are encountered with LHB pathology, will be randomized to either LHB tenotomy or LHB tenodesis. Clinical and self-reported data will be collected pre-operatively, and 6 weeks, 3 months, and 1 year after surgery. Primary outcome is overall shoulder function evaluated with the Constant score. As additional measures of shoulder function, the Dutch Oxford Shoulder Test and the Disabilities of the Arm Shoulder and Hand questionnaire will be assessed. Other evaluations include cosmetic appearance evaluated by the ''Popeye'' deformity, arm cramping pain, elbow flexion strength, MRI evaluation, quality of life, and cost of surgery. To detect non-inferiority with a one-sided, two-sample t-test with a 80% power and a significance level (alpha) of 0.025, the required sample size is 98 patients.

Interventions

PROCEDUREArthroscopic rotator cuff repair

Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair using suture anchors

PROCEDURELHB Tenodesis

Arthroscopic tenotomy and subsequent fixation of long head biceps proximal in the biceps groove

PROCEDURELHB Tenotomy

Arthroscopic tenotomy of long head biceps

Sponsors

Nederlandse Vereniging voor Arthroscopie
CollaboratorUNKNOWN
Smith & Nephew, Inc.
CollaboratorINDUSTRY
Onze Lieve Vrouwe Gasthuis
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Subject)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
50 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

* Patients older than 50 years * Degenerative rotator cuff lesion of supraspinatus/infraspinatus tendon, smaller than three centimeter. * Patients need to be able to read and write in Dutch or English language in order to complete the questionnaires, and sign informed consent.

Exclusion criteria

* Acute, traumatic or partial thickness rotator cuff rupture, or in case a full thickness tear is larger than 3 cm measured using an arthroscopic ruler. * Accompanying subscapularis tendon lesion * Hour-glass deformation bicepstendon origin or in case of accompanying subscapularis tendon rupture. * Osteoarthritis of the glenohumeral joint * Acromion to humeral head distance measuring 6mm or smaller. * Prior surgery to the involved shoulder * Dementia or inability to complete questionnaires and assessments

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Shoulder function quantified with the Constant score (0-100)1 yearSum of the items below: ADL: Patient reported shoulder function during work (0-4), recreation/sports (0-4), and sleep (0-2). Pain: Patient reported pain in the shoulder (severe=0,moderate=5,mild=10,no pain=15). ROM: Anteflexion up to waist(2)/xiphoid process(4)/neck(6)/head(8)/above head(10) Elevation in degrees: 0-30(0)/31-60(2)/61-90(4)/91-120(6)/121-150(8)/151-180(10) Abduction in degrees: 0-30(0)/31-60(2)/61-90(4)/91-120(6)/121-150(8)/151-180(10) External rotation: impossible to reach head with hand(0)/hand behind head-elbow forward(2)/hand behind head-elbow backward(4)/hand on head-elbow forward(6)/hand on head-elbow backward(8)/full elevation hand from head(10) Internal rotation: dorsal part of the hand reaching lateral thigh(0)/buttock(2)/lumbo-sacral junction(4)/L3(6)/Th12(8)/between scapulae(10). Abduction force at 90 degrees in pounds (max. 25)

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Cosmetic appearance1 yearPatients will assess cosmetic appearance on a VAS scale.
MRI-based location of the biceps tendon1 yearMRI imaging at 1 year after surgery will be used to assess the location of the proximal biceps tendon. Absence of the biceps tendon in the bicipital groove confirms a successfully performed LHB tenotomy. Absence of the biceps tendon in the bicipital groove confirms failed LHB tendodesis. In addition, the rotator cuff is classified as fully healed, partially healed or recurrent rupture.
Self-reported shoulder function1 yearPatients will complete two validated questionnaires: the Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder and Hand Questionnaire (DASH) and the Dutch Oxford Shoulder Test (DOST)
Pain1 yearPatients will be asked to report if they have pain (yes/no), and to indicate the level of pain on a VAS scale. The VAS scores will be recorded separately for general pain and for pain in the bicipital groove.
Popeye phenomenon1 yearPresence of a Popeye deformity in the upper arm (yes/no), as reported by the patient, the treating surgeon, and a blinded assessor.
Quality of life1 yearPatients will complete the validated questionnaire 'EQ-5D', which covers 5 domains (mobility, personal care, daily activities, pain and mood), as well as a 100 point thermometer on general health.
Post-operative status of rotator cuff1 yearBased on MRI imaging at 1 year after surgery, the rotator cuff is classified as fully healed, partially healed or recurrent rupture.
Duration of surgery1 yearThe duration of surgery will be calculated based on the start and end times of each surgery.
Complications1 yearAll complications and serious adverse events in the study population are recorded.
Elbow flexion strength1 yearA dynamometer will be used to assess elbow flexion strength with the lower arm in full supination. The Elbow Strength Index is calculated by dividing the strength in the affected side by the strength in the contralateral side.

Countries

Netherlands

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Mar 12, 2026