Arthroscopic labral debridement versus labral repair for patients with femoroacetabular impingement: A meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE: Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) is a common cause of hip pain and even tearing of the acetabular labrum in young adults and athletes. Either arthroscopic labral debridement (LD) or labral repair (LR) technique for FAI patients is needed to choose. We conducted this systematic review and meta-analysis to compare the clinical outcomes of arthroscopic LD versus LR intervention. METHODS: The five studies were acquired from PubMed, Medline, Embase, and Cochrane Library. The data were extracted by two of the coauthors independently and were analyzed by RevMan5.3. Mean differences (MDs), odds ratios (ORs), and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. Cochrane Collaboration's Risk of Bias Tool and Newcastle–Ottawa Scale were used to assess risk of bias. RESULTS: Four observational studies and one prospective randomized study were assessed. The methodological quality of the trials indicated a low to moderate risk of bias. The pooled results of Non-Arthritic Hip Score (NAHS), failure rate of surgeries and complications showed that the differences were not statistically significant between the two interventions. The difference of modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS), the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score and satisfaction rate was statistically significant between LD and LR intervention, and LR treatment was more effective. Sensitivity analysis proved the stability of the pooled results and there were too less included articles to verify the publication bias. CONCLUSIONS: Hip arthroscopy with either LR or LD is an effective treatment for symptomatic FAI. The difference of mHHS, VAS score, and satisfaction rate was statistically significant between LD and LR intervention, and arthroscopic LR could re-create suction-seal effect, potentially reduce microinstability, which demonstrated a trend toward better clinical efficacy and comparable safety compared with LD. The arthroscopic LR technique is recommended as the optical choice for acetabular labrum tear with FAI.