Do Corticosteroid Injections Before or After Primary Rotator Cuff Repair Influence the Incidence of Adverse Events? A Subjective Synthesis.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

To determine the influence of corticosteroid injections (CSIs) before or after primary rotator cuff repair (RCR) on the risk of (1) revision RCR, (2) retears, and (3) infections.

METHODS:

The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, PubMed, Embase, and MEDLINE databases were queried in accordance with the 2009 Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) statement. Data pertaining to the use of CSIs before or after primary RCR and adverse events were extracted. A subjective synthesis of these outcomes and bias was performed.

RESULTS:

A total of 10 studies including 240,976 patients were identified; 20.0% received a perioperative CSI. Of the 48,235 patients who received a CSI, 66.2% did so preoperatively whereas 33.8% did so postoperatively. A total of 78 patients received both preoperative and postoperative CSIs. Three studies examined the influence of preoperative CSIs on revision RCR; the incidence ranged from 3.8% to 10.5% with preoperative CSIs and from 3.2% to 3.4% for controls. Two of these studies analyzed outcomes of patients from the same databases over the same period. Five studies examined the influence of postoperative CSI use on retears; the incidence ranged from 5.7% to 19.0% in patients who received postoperative CSIs and from 10.0% to 18.4% for controls. Three studies examined the influence of CSI use on infection; 2 studies examined the risk of infection after postoperative CSI use, which ranged from 0.0% to 6.7% with CSIs and from 0.0% to 0.5% for controls.

CONCLUSIONS:

The use of preoperative CSIs could be associated with an increased risk of revision RCR. There were no conclusive data to suggest an increased risk of retear or infection with CSI use based on a subjective synthesis of ranges. There is currently poor-quality literature surrounding this topic. Given that the current literature is limited and heterogeneous, no definitive recommendations can be made on perioperative CSI use for RCR.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:

Level III, systematic review of Level I and III studies.

• Authors: Kyle N Kunze, Raffy Mirzayan, Alexander Beletsky, William Cregar, William Skallerud, Brady T Williams, Nikhil N Verma, Brian J Cole, Jorge Chahla
• Journal: Arthroscopy : the journal of arthroscopic & related surgery : official publication of the Arthroscopy Association of North America and the International Arthroscopy Association (Arthroscopy) Vol. 36 Issue 5 Pg. 1476-1484 (05 2020) ISSN: 1526-3231 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 32035175 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Systematic Review)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2020 Arthroscopy Association of North America. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Adrenal Cortex Hormones

Topics

• Adrenal Cortex Hormones (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Arthroscopy
• Humans
• Injections, Intra-Articular (adverse effects)
• Postoperative Period
• Rotator Cuff
• Rotator Cuff Injuries (therapy)