Hybrid suture technique vs simple suture technique for antero-inferior labral tears: Two years’ clinical outcomes

BACKGROUND: We previously reported a hybrid suture technique, wherein mattress and simple suturing are used to create Mason-Allen configuration, with low recurrence rates. This comparative study looking at the two years’ clinical outcomes of arthroscopic anterior labral repair using the hybrid suture technique versus simple suture technique. METHODS: We identified 103 patients who underwent arthroscopic anterior labral repair from 2010 to 2015 with 2-year follow-up. The patients were categorized into two groups: hybrid suture technique (65 patients) and simple suture technique (38 patients). Clinical outcomes measures included UCLA shoulder score, Constant Shoulder Score, Numerical Pain Rating Scale, and Oxford Instability score. RESULTS: Mean age of the patients was 27.02 ± 9.76 years (17–63), with 91 males and 12 females. At 24 months, both groups showed significant improvement in post-operative clinical scores compared to pre-operation. The patients in hybrid sutures technique demonstrated significant improvement in Constant Shoulder Score, UCLA shoulder score and Oxford Instability score compared to simple suture group at 3 months follow up. (121.98 ± 21.05 vs 109.32 ± 21.15, p < 0.05; 65.5 ± 19 vs 57.4 ± 17.6, p < 0.05; 27.3 ± 5.7 vs 23.7 ± 5.0, p < 0.05; 29.3 ± 8.9 vs 33.4 ± 8.2, p < 0.05). The postoperative recurrence rate was comparable between both groups (hybrid suture group 7.81% vs simple suture group 7.84%). CONCLUSIONS: Arthroscopic anterior labral repair with hybrid suture technique offers significant early improvements in clinical scores and low recurrence rate compared to simple suture technique at 2-year follow-up. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III; Retrospective Cohort Design; Treatment study.