Abstract
Background: Previous studies have shown re-tear signs of rotator cuff tendon tearing after single row or suture bridge repair during follow-up. Few studies have investigated tendon integrity initially after successful rotator cuff repair. The purpose of this study was to assess and compare the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) appearance of the completely repaired rotator cuff initially after surgery between single row and suture bridge techniques.Methods: Fifty patients with full-thickness rotator cuff tears were included in this study. Twenty-five patients underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair with single row technique (SR group) or and the other 25 patients underwent double row suture bridge technique (SB group). MRI examinations were performed at the second day after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. Postoperative rotator cuff integrity was classified into 5 categories according to Sugaya method.Results: Postoperative MRI revealed 3 type I, 9 type II, 8 type III, 5 type IV, and 0 type V in single-row group (SR group), and 1 type I, 11 type II, 10 type III, 3 type IV, and no type V in suture bridge group (SB group). The postoperative re-tear rate was 20% in SR group and 12% in SB group, while no significant difference of re-tear rate was detected between groups (p = 0.70). In the 3 type IV cases of SB group, 1 case was found to have configuration deformity, and the other 2 cases revealed poor tissue quality of rotator cuff under arthroscopy. In the 5 type IV cases of SR group, 3 cases were found to have configuration deformity, and the other 2 cases revealed poor tissue quality of rotator cuff under arthroscopy.Conclusion: No difference of tendon integrity was detected between single row and suture bridge techniques initially after surgery. The re-tear sign of successfully repaired rotator cuff tendon was related with poor tendon tissue quality and also with configuration deformity after surgery.
A comparison of clinical outcomes after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair using single-row, double-row and suture bridge technique
