BACKGROUND

The impact of capsular closure vs non-closure in hip arthroscopy for femoracetabular impingement (FAI) was assessed by a meta-analysis.

METHODS

With the most recent search update occurring in August 2022, relevant studies were found by searching the Pubmed and EMBASE databases. A collection of studies was made that conducted hip arthroscopy for FAI. Review Manager 5.3 was used to carry out the meta-analysis. The dichotomous and continuous factors were compared using the odds ratios (OR) and mean differences (MD). A fixed-effect or random-effect model was chosen, depending on the degree of heterogeneity (I). Forest plots were used to assess the results. A significance level of P < 0.05 was applied to the statistical analysis.

RESULTS

Ultimately, 15 studies were incorporated into the meta-analysis. The surgery time was longer for the capsular closure group (CC group) compared to the non-closure (NC group) group. ( < 0.001, SMD = 8.59, 95%CI [7.40, 9.77], I = 32 %). Following hip arthroscopy, the CC group's mHHS was superior to that of the NC group ( = 0.001, MD = 2.05, 95%CI [0.83, 3.27], I = 42 %), HOS-ADL ( < 0.001, MD = 4.29, 95%CI [3.08, 5.50], I = 0 %). The capsular closure group had a reduced rate of postoperative complications ( = 0.001, OR = 0.21, 95%CI [0.08, 0.54], I = 0 %) and conversion to THA ( = 0.01, OR = 0.42, 95%CI [0.21, 0.83], I = 0 %) following hip arthroscopy than the non-closure group. The revision rate, VAS, and postoperative HOS-SSS did not significantly differ between these two groups (＞0.05).

CONCLUSION

The current meta-analysis found that the closed group had a lower complication rate and considerably greater mHHS and HOS-ADL following surgery compared to the non-closed capsule group. Whether this is related to the continuous progress of biomechanical and clinical research techniques deserves our attention.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV, systematic review of Level I through Level III studies.