Distal biceps ruptures repair: Experience with 80 cases

Abstract

Introduction and objectivesRupture of distal biceps has a frequency of 1.2 cases per 100,000 population. Conservative treatment presents a loss in supination of 40% and flexion of 30%, like transfers to the brachialis. Our goal is to review our experience with anatomical reattachment. Material and methodsCohorts study. We analized an historic cohort, although recent, treated with double approach (Boyd-Anderson) compared to another prospective cohort (treated with single and double approach). Sample size of 80 patients. Mean age of 48.9 ± 5.9 years. We analyzed laterality, time to diagnosis, presurgery time, surgery time, approach, type of reintegration, rehabilitation time, Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS), biomechanical study and complications. Follow up from 2 years to 7 years. ResultsTime for diagnosis was about 4 days. Preoperative time: 12.2 ± 6.4 days. Surgical time: 61.9 ± 15.7 min. We used the two-way surgical approach (Boyd-Anderson-Morrey) in 78.8% of patients, and the anterior surgical approach (Henry) in 21.2% of cases. Transosseous reinsertion was made in 45% of cases, with screw anchor in 40% and with cortical button in 15%. Rehabilitation time: 91 ± 29.7 days. MEPS: 88 ± 11.7 points. There was loss of flexor strength of 28 ± 16.6%. Complications: 1 case of proximal radioulnar synostosis, 2 radial transient paralysis and 5 cases with residual stiffness. Hypothesis contrast: We reached best results in MEPS with double surgical approach (P = .009), with fewer complications (P = .008). We observed increased pain with cortical buttons (P < .05) and less surgical time if patient was operated before 1 week (P = .03). Relative risk of 0.2 when we compared type of approach with radial nerve lesion risk, considering that double approach had less cases, what it would be consider as a protective factor. ConclusionsIn our experience, we believe that anatomic reattachment is an effective treatment. Double surgical approach presents best result in MEPS, with fewer complications than with anterior approach.