Capsular Management During Hip Arthroscopy is Recommended, But a Limited Capsulotomy in Male Patients May Heal Without Closure

Abstract

The hip capsule consists of the iliofemoral, ischiofemoral, and pubfemoral ligaments. The iliofemoral ligament is an important part of the anterior hip capsule that functions to stabilize the joint but is commonly incised in order to obtain access during hip arthroscopy, as described in techniques such as interportal, T, puncture, and periportal capsulotomy. For the most commonly utilized interportal capsulotomy, recent literature has advocated for closure of the capsule at the end of the surgery to avoid iatrogenic instability or microinstability. Systematic reviews and cohort studies have reported significantly better patient reported outcomes (PRO) after hip arthroscopy for femoroacetabular impingement syndrome (FAIS) with capsule closure compared to without capsule closure. However, recent high-level evidence from a randomized controlled trial demonstrated that in a predominantly male cohort there was no difference in PRO improvements or complications between patients undergoing hip arthroscopy for FAIS through an interportal capsulotomy who were randomized to receive capsule closure versus no capsule closure. Of note, male patients have inherently tighter and more stable joints than female patients, and therefore are at lower risk for post-operative instability or microinstability from an interportal capsulotomy that does not properly heal. Also, if the capsule is not violated below the 3 o'clock position (for a right hip, or 9 o'clock for a left hip), there may be less risk to destabilizing the hip joint. A limited interportal capsulotomy in male patients could lead to healing in an unrepaired state.