No difference in prevalence of postoperative iliopsoas tendinitis in patients undergoing arthroscopic hip surgery when using absorbable versus non-absorbable suture for capsular closure

Eur J Orthop Surg Traumatol. 2024 Apr;34(3):1419-1426. doi: 10.1007/s00590-023-03818-1. Epub 2024 Jan 17.

Abstract

Purpose: The volume of arthroscopic hip surgery has increased dramatically in recent years with iliopsoas tendinitis (IPT) being one of the most common complications of this procedure. The purpose of this study is to investigate the prevalence of post-operative IPT in patients who undergo arthroscopic hip surgery with capsular closure using absorbable versus non-absorbable suture.

Methods: This is a single center, single surgeon, retrospective analysis performed between August 2007 and May 2023 comparing two cohorts who underwent hip arthroscopy. Patients were divided into those who underwent surgery with capsular closure using absorbable (Vicryl®, Johnson and Johnson, New Brunswick, NJ) suture and those who underwent capsular closure with non-absorbable suture (Suturetape, Arthrex, Naples FL). All patients who underwent primary or revision hip arthroscopy and were at least 2 months post-operation were initially included in the study.

Results: Between August 2007 and May 2023 a total of 1513 hip arthroscopy surgeries were performed. Within this cohort, 1421 hips underwent hip arthroscopy with non-absorbable suture and 64 hips underwent surgery with absorbable suture. There was no significant difference between the proportion of IPT in the non-absorbable cohort (2.3%) versus the absorbable cohort (1.6%) (P = 0.669).

Conclusion: Capsular closure with Absorbable sutures was non-inferior to capsular closure with non-absorbable sutures with respect to the proportion of post-operative IPT following hip arthroscopy for FAI. Additionally, the proportion of post-operative IPT was found to be significantly higher in patients undergoing revision versus primary hip arthroscopy, regardless of capsular closure suture type.

Level of evidence: IV.

Keywords: Absorbable suture; Hip arthroscopy; IPT; Non-absorbable suture.

MeSH terms

  • Arthroscopy / adverse effects
  • Arthroscopy / methods
  • Femoracetabular Impingement* / surgery
  • Hip
  • Hip Joint* / surgery
  • Humans
  • Prevalence
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Treatment Outcome