The purpose of this study was to assess the impact and potential advantage of a novel synthetic patch augmentation in repair of massive rotator cuff (RC) tears, using clinical and radiological approaches. The investigators hypothesized that implanting this patch will improve individual shoulder function, while reducing re-tear rates compared to the current literature.
To evaluate this, patches were implanted into 54 shoulders and prospectively followed up clinically and radiologically.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
54
Patients were operated under general anesthesia and a supraclavicular nerve block, in a beach-chair position with 80° forward shoulder flexion and traction between 3-5 kg. After washing and draping a standard viewing portal was placed at the dorsal softspot. Further portals included, a lateral, a dorso-lateral, an antero-lateral and an anterior portal. If additional pathologies were present, they were treated simultaneously and mostly involved the long head of the biceps tendon, treated with tenodesis or tenotomy respectively. After a thorough bursectomy, the rupture was fully visualized and thereafter its size was estimated. Following debridement of the footprint, we used a triple row repair and implanted the patch.
Function assessed with the Constant-Murley-Score
Time frame: 25 months
Function assessed with the Subjective Shoulder Value
Time frame: 25 months
Tendon integrity evaluated radiologically
Time frame: 1-35 months
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