Biceps Tenodesis With 360 Suture Anchor Versus Self Locking Tenodesis In the Absence of Rotator Cuff Tears (Blast2)

Biceps Tenodesis With 360 Suture Anchor Versus Self-Locking Tenodesis in the Absence of Full-thickness Rotator Cuff Tears: Protocol for a Non-inferiority Randomized Controlled Trial (BLAST-2)

This is a prospective randomized controlled trial. The aim of this study is to compare the clinical results and complications of self-locking biceps tenodesis and double-loop 360 lasso biceps tenodesis for the treatment of pathology of the long head of the biceps or superior labrum anterior-posterior (SLAP) during shoulder arthroscopy in patients without arthroscopic rotator cuff tears. Currently, there is no consensus on the use of tenodesis versus tenotomy to treat pathology of the long head of the biceps during arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. Numerous studies have examined the clinical results of long biceps tenotomy versus long biceps tenodesis, and there is no evidence to date of superiority of either technique. However, these studies were carried out on patients with rotator cuff tears, and so it has not been possible to directly compare the two procedures. At Clinique Générale, we use a new, innovative technique called autobloc tenodesis to treat pathologies of the long head of the biceps. There are no comparative studies between autobloc tenodesis of the biceps and biceps tenodesis in patients without rotator cuff tears. Given its potential advantages, autobloc biceps tenodesis could become the new technique of choice for treating biceps longus tendon pathology, potentially reducing differences in outcomes such as Popeye deformity. The information provided by this study could potentially guide future clinical practice, helping surgeons choose the most appropriate treatment for their patients with long biceps tendon pathology.

Study Overview

• Status: Recruiting
• Conditions: SLAP Lesion
• Intervention / Treatment: Procedure: self-locking biceps tenodesis; Procedure: Biceps Tenodesis with 360 Suture anchor

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Estimated): 98
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Geert Alexander Buijze, MD; Phone Number: +33 669962733; Email: gabuijze@hotmail.com

Study Locations

• France
  • Annecy, France, 74000
    • Recruiting
    • Clinique Générale

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Pathology of the LHBT or SLAP-type lesion based on clinical symptoms
• Partial-thickness rupture or absence of full-thickness rupture of the rotator cuff of the subscapular, supraspinatus and/or infraspinatus tendons, diagnosed preoperatively on ultrasound, arthro-CT or MRI

Exclusion Criteria:

• Full-thickness tears of the rotator cuff diagnosed preoperatively on ultrasound, arthro-CT or MRI.
• Osteoarthritis of the glenohumeral joint, defined by narrowing of the glenohumeral joint space or osteophytes, using AP radiography of the affected shoulder.
• Previous surgery on the affected shoulder
• Patients presenting with motor paralysis of the shoulder
• Preoperative presence of the Popeye sign or documented LHBT rupture
• Dementia or inability to complete questionnaires and assessments in French or English.
• Pregnant or breast-feeding patient
• Protected adult patient
• Patient not covered by social security.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Single

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: self-locking biceps tenodesis	Procedure: self-locking biceps tenodesis; The LHB tendon is detached from its origin at the level of the superior labrum. This technique supports the self-locking mechanism of the LHB tendon in the bicipital groove by detaching the tendon from the Y-shaped superior glenoid, including the superior labrum. A radiographically visible suture will be attached to the proximal part of the LHB tendon to facilitate subsequent localization of the LHB tendon during imaging (3-0 stainless steel, ethicon).
Active Comparator: 360° double-loop lasso biceps tenodesis	Procedure: Biceps Tenodesis with 360 Suture anchor; The LHB tendon is detached from its origin and sutured. Next, the LHB tendon is fixed in the bicipital groove using a 360-loop tenodesis technique with the Knotless FiberTak® biceps implant system. A radiographically visible suture will be attached to the proximal part of the LHB tendon to facilitate subsequent localization of the LHB tendon during imaging (3-0 stainless steel, ethicon).

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Constant score	100-point scale comprising four components, including a patient-reported section (pain 15 points and activity level 20 points), for a total of 35 points. Alongside this is a doctor-reported section (shoulder strength 25 points, range of motion 40 points) for a total of 65 points.	1 year after surgery

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Subjective Shoulder Value (SSV)	The SSV is a single-question assessment of the patient's perceived shoulder function expressed as a percentage of normal.	6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year after surgery
LHB score	The LHB score assesses symptoms and function related to long head of the biceps tendon pathology.	6 months, 1 year after surgery
VAS pain score	Pain intensity will be assessed using a visual analogue scale (VAS) at rest, during activity, and over the bicipital groove.	6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year after surgery
Radiograph	Standardized radiographs will assess postoperative migration of the long head of the biceps tendon using a radio-opaque marker.	Direct post-op, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months after surgery
MRI or Ultra-sound	MRI or ultrasound will assess the postoperative position of the long head of the biceps tendon at final follow-up.	1 year after surgery
American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Score (ASES)	The ASES is a 100-point scale comprising 2 assessment dimensions: pain and activities of daily living.	6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year after surgery
cosmetic appearance	Cosmetic appearance will be assessed by both the patient and the clinician using standardized photographs.	6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year after surgery

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Clinique Générale dAnnecy

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): January 22, 2025
• Primary Completion (Estimated): January 1, 2030
• Study Completion (Estimated): January 1, 2030

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: January 8, 2025
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: January 8, 2025
• First Posted (Actual): January 13, 2025

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): July 9, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: July 8, 2026
• Last Verified: July 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: imaging; tenodesis; biceps; tendon repair
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Shoulder Injuries; Wounds and Injuries; Rupture; Tendon Injuries; Rotator Cuff Injuries
• Other Study ID Numbers: 2024-43-CGA

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No
• product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.: No