Surgical Trends in the Treatment of Superior Labrum Anterior and Posterior (SLAP) Lesions of the Shoulder. Analysis of Data from the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery Certification Examination Database

Objectives:After failure of conservative treatment, surgical repair has long been the primary treatment option for unstable superior labrum anterior and posterior (SLAP) lesions of the shoulder. There is growing evidence supporting both biceps tenotomy and tenodesis as effective alternative treatments for SLAP lesions. The surgical trends among recent graduates, however, have not been evaluated. The goal of this study was to determine the rates of SLAP repair, biceps tenodesis, and biceps tenotomy for patients with isolated SLAP tears. As a secondary goal, we aimed to determine the rates of SLAP repair, biceps tenodesis, and biceps tenotomy for patients with SLAP tears undergoing concomitant rotator cuff repair.Methods:A query of the American board of orthopaedic surgery (ABOS) certification examination database was performed from 2002-2011. The database was searched for patients with isolated SLAP lesions undergoing SLAP repair, biceps tenodesis, or biceps tenotomy. The database was then queried a second...