SLAP LESIONS - A RETROSPECTIVE MULTICENTER STUDY

A retrospective analysis of 530 glenohumerd arthroscopies performed by three independent Belgian arthroscopists revealed the presence of 32 SLAP lesions, which represents an incidence of 6%. Since this is exact ly the same percentage as found by Snyder et al., we report our data i n this article. We classified 23 of the SLAP lesions using Snyder's cl assification, 7 needed the additional classification of Maffet et al., and 2 lesions were considered to be anatomic variations; 53% of the l esions were of type II. Concerning the mechanism of injury, we found c omparable percentages of traction (22%) and compression (28%) injury a s reported by Snyder, but also a high number (25%) of overhead sports activities as described by Andrews et al. Associated lesions were in c lose accordance with Snyder's data, but a relatively low incidence of rotator cuff injuries (10%) was present. Comparison of treatment regim ens showed that the same percentage of lesions (34%) was fixed arthros copically in both series. Only SLAP II, IV, and V lesions must be cons idered as unstable and in need of fixation. We confirm that patients' complaints and clinical symptoms are vague and inconsistent. Imaging, using computed topographic arthrography or magnetic resonance, was per formed in a minority of cases. Advantages and pitfalls of both techniq ues are discussed. Anatomic variations causing an extra-large sublabra l hole are shown, and we warn about potential diagnostic and therapeut ic errors in these cases.