Superior Capsule Reconstruction for Irreparable Massive Rotator Cuff Tears: Does It Make Sense? A Systematic Review of Early Clinical Evidence

2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (13) ◽  
pp. 3365-3375 ◽  
Author(s):  
Burak Altintas ◽  
Michael Scheidt ◽  
Victor Kremser ◽  
Robert Boykin ◽  
Sanjeev Bhatia ◽  
...  

Background: Treatment of irreparable massive rotator cuff tears (MRCTs) in patients without advanced glenohumeral osteoarthritis remains a challenge. Arthroscopic superior capsule reconstruction (SCR) represents a newer method for treatment with increasing popularity and acceptance. Purpose: To analyze the clinical evidence surrounding SCR and determine the current clinical outcomes postoperatively. Study Design: Systematic review. Methods: A systematic review of the literature was performed following the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. Electronic databases of PubMed, MEDLINE, Cochrane, and Google Scholar were used for the literature search. The study quality was evaluated according to the Modified Coleman Methodology Score. Studies in English evaluating SCR outcomes were included. Results: Seven studies were reviewed, including 352 patients (358 shoulders) treated with arthroscopic SCR with the mean duration of follow-up ranging from 15 to 48 months (range, 12-88 months). Fourteen patients were lost to follow-up, leaving 338 patients (344 shoulders) with clinical outcome data. Graft types included dermal allografts (n = 3 studies), fascia lata autografts (n = 3), or both (n = 1). Most commonly, a double-row technique was utilized for humeral graft fixation. The most common complication included graft tears in 13% of patients, resulting in 15 SCR revisions and 7 reverse shoulder arthroplasties. Postoperatively, improvements in visual analog scale (2.5 to 5.9), American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (20 to 56), Japanese Orthopaedic Association (38.0), Subjective Shoulder Value (37.0 to 41.3), and Constant (11.6 to 47.4) scores were observed. Three studies reported respective satisfaction rates of 72.9%, 85.7% and 90%. Increases in external rotation, internal rotation, and abduction with improved strength in external rotation were observed postoperatively. Improvement of pseudoparalysis was also observed in 3 studies. One study reported return to sports in 100% of patients (2 competitively, 24 recreationally) with no adverse outcomes. Conclusion: SCR showed good to excellent short-term clinical outcomes with adequate pain relief and functional improvement. The current evidence suggests that the procedure is an alternative for symptomatic patients with irreparable MRCT; however, the included studies were fair to poor in quality, and there were some notable complications. Long-term follow-up will determine the longevity and ultimate role of this new method in the treatment of irreparable MRCT.

2021 ◽  
pp. 036354652110435
Author(s):  
Daisuke Mori ◽  
Kazuha Kizaki ◽  
Noboru Funakoshi ◽  
Fumiharu Yamashita ◽  
Yasuyuki Mizuno ◽  
...  

Background: In shoulders with irreparable massive rotator cuff tears (RCTs) with high-grade fatty degeneration (Goutallier stage 3 or 4) of the supraspinatus tendon and low-grade fatty degeneration (Goutallier stage 1 or 2) of the infraspinatus tendon (ISP), arthroscopic patch grafting (PG) has been reported as superior to partial repair (PR) regarding the ISP retear rate at short-term to midterm follow-up. However, the longer term outcomes are unclear. Purpose: To compare clinical and structural outcomes in the PG and PR groups at a minimum of 7 years postoperatively. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: We evaluated 24 patients in the PG group and 24 patients in the PR group. We primarily used the Constant score for clinical outcomes and performed magnetic resonance imaging for structural outcomes in the PG and PR groups. The risk factors for a retear of the ISP were identified by univariate and multivariate (forward stepwise selection method) logistic regression analyses. We primarily compared values at midterm follow-up (<4 years) with values at the final follow-up (minimum 7 years) for each patient. Results: The mean midterm and final follow-up times for the PG group were 41.0 and 95.1 months, respectively, compared with 35.7 and 99.3 months, respectively, for the PR group. We found significant differences for the midterm and final follow-up Constant total scores in the PG and PR groups (midterm follow-up: 79.1 vs 69.9, respectively [ P = .001]; final follow-up: 76.0 vs 65.3, respectively [ P = .006]) and in the Constant strength scores (midterm follow-up: 14.6 vs 8.5, respectively [ P < .001]; final follow-up: 13.1 vs 8.3, respectively [ P = .001]). Treatment group (PR) was a significant predictor of an ISP retear in the logistic regression analysis (odds ratio, 3.545; P = .043). Conclusion: Patients with low-grade massive RCTs treated with PG or PR improved significantly in terms of clinical outcomes at the midterm and final follow-up time points. However, Constant scores were significantly better in the PG group at the final follow-up.


2013 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 80-87
Author(s):  
Alison P Toth ◽  
Anil K Gupta

ABSTRACT Objectives To evaluate the clinical and radiographic outcomes of patients undergoing interposition reconstruction of massive, otherwise irreparable rotator cuff tears through a mini-open approach with the use of a porcine dermal tissue matrix. Materials and methods We performed a prospective observational study of 26 patients (27 shoulders) who underwent reconstruction of massive rotator cuff tears using dermal tissue matrix xenograft. Pain level (scale 0-10, 10 = severe pain), active range of motion, and supraspinatus and external rotation strength were assessed. Additional outcome measures included modified American shoulder and elbow score (MASES) and short form-12 (SF-12) score. Clinical and radiographic analyses were performed at an average 32 months follow-up period (minimum 2-year follow-up). Ultrasound imaging (static and dynamic) of the operative shoulder was performed at final followup to assess the integrity of the reconstruction. Results Mean patient age was 60. Mean pain level decreased from 5.1 to 0.4 (p = 0.002). Mean active forward flexion, abduction, and external rotation motion improved from 138.8 to 167.3 (p = 0.024), 117.9 to 149.3 (p = 0.001) and 57.7 to 64.7° (p = 0.31), respectively. Supraspinatus and external rotation strength improved from 7.2 to 9.4 (p = 0.001) and 7.4 to 9.5 (p = 0.001), respectively. Mean MASES improved from 62.7 to 91.8 (p = 0.0007) and mean SF-12 scores improved from 48.4 to 56.6 (p = 0.044). Twenty-one patients (twenty-two shoulders) returned for a dynamic and static ultrasound of the operative shoulder at a minimum 2-year follow-up. Sixteen (73%) demonstrated a fully intact tendon/graft reconstruction. Five (22%) patients had partially intact reconstructions, and one (5%) had a complete tear at the graft-bone interface due to suture anchor pullout as a result of a fall. There were no cases of infection or tissue rejection. Conclusion We present a reproducible surgical technique for the management of massive irreparable rotator cuff tears. In our series, patients demonstrated a significant improvement in both subjective and objective clinical outcomes. Radiographic analysis demonstrated that the majority of patients had a fully intact reconstruction at a minimum 2-year follow-up. Gupta AK, Toth AP. Management of Massive Rotator Cuff Tears in Active Patients with Minimal Glenohumeral Arthritis: A Prospective Observational Study with Clinical and Radiographic Analyses of Reconstruction using Dermal Tissue Matrix Xenograft. The Duke Orthop J 2013;3(1):80-87.


2019 ◽  
Vol 48 (11) ◽  
pp. 2828-2838
Author(s):  
Jinrong Lin ◽  
Yaying Sun ◽  
Qingyan Chen ◽  
Shaohua Liu ◽  
Zheci Ding ◽  
...  

Background: Graft bridging (GB) and superior capsule reconstruction (SCR) were developed to treat large to massive rotator cuff tears (RCTs); however, the outcome differences between GB and SCR remain unclear. Purpose: To systematically review and compare the outcomes of GB and SCR for large to massive RCT. Study Design: Systematic review. Methods: A systematic review was performed via a comprehensive search of PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library. Studies of GB or SCR were included according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The primary outcome was Constant-Murley score at the final follow-up. Secondary outcomes included the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score, visual analog scale score for pain, active shoulder range of motion, and graft healing rate. Complication rate was the safety outcome measure. Outcomes were summarized into group SCR and group GB, and the results were compared statistically ( P < .05). Results: A total of 23 studies were included in this review: 238 repairs from the 5 studies in group SCR and 593 repairs from the 18 studies in group GB. For group SCR and group GB, the mean age was 61.6 and 63.3 years, and the mean follow-up was 18.0 and 40.1 months, respectively. Overall, both procedures demonstrated improvement of clinical outcomes. When compared with group SCR, group GB had significantly higher mean differences of the Constant-Murley score (41.9 vs 19.8), American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score (39.3 vs 33.8), visual analog scale score for pain (4.4 vs 3.4), and active external rotation at side (15.3 vs 9.3). No statistically significant difference was detected in the mean difference of active forward flexion, internal rotation, abduction, and graft healing rate between the groups. The complication rates were 0.84% (2 of 238) in group SCR and 0.67% (4 of 593) in group GB. Conclusion: In general, GB showed significantly better clinical and functional outcomes postoperatively than SCR, with a similar complication rate. The available fair-quality evidence suggested that GB might be a better choice for large to massive RCT. More high-quality randomized controlled studies are required to further evaluate the relative benefits of the 2 procedures.


2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 392-401 ◽  
Author(s):  
Justin L. Makovicka ◽  
Andrew S. Chung ◽  
Karan A. Patel ◽  
David G. Deckey ◽  
Jeffrey D. Hassebrock ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 232596712098879
Author(s):  
Hiroaki Moriyama ◽  
Masafumi Gotoh ◽  
Koji Tanaka ◽  
Yashuhiro Mitsui ◽  
Hidehiro Nakamura ◽  
...  

Background: Previous studies have shown good clinical outcomes in patients with irreparable large or massive rotator cuff tears treated using arthroscopic partial repair (APR); however, few studies have evaluated both functional and structural outcomes in these patients. Purpose: To evaluate both functional and structural outcomes in patients with large or massive rotator cuff tears treated using APR. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: Between March 2009 and November 2016, a total of 30 patients underwent APR because of the irreparability of their large or massive rotator cuff tears during surgery. Of these patients, 24 completed the minimum 24-month follow-up (mean, 61.8 ± 27.1 months; range, 24-112 months) and were included in this study. Functional outcome measures included the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) and University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) scores and the visual analog scale for pain. Structural outcome measures comprised preoperative fatty degeneration, mediolateral tear size, residual tendon attachment area, and glenohumeral (GH) arthritic changes evaluated on magnetic resonance imaging scans or plain radiographs before and after surgery. Functional and structural outcomes were evaluated preoperatively, at 3 months postoperatively, and at the final follow-up. Results: The JOA scores for all patients significantly improved from 67.9 ± 11.3 preoperatively to 85.4 ± 15.6 postoperatively ( P < .0001). Similarly, the UCLA scores significantly improved from 15.8 ± 4.20 preoperatively to 29 ± 6.69 at final follow-up postoperatively ( P < .0001). The mediolateral tear size were significantly decreased at 3 months postoperatively ( P < .001) and at the final follow-up ( P < .001). Compared with preoperative scores, the novel score evaluating the residual tendon attachment area improved from 3.08 ± 0.46 to 3.54 ± 0.41 ( P < .001) after surgery overall, although it significantly deteriorated from 3 months postoperatively to the final follow-up. GH osteoarthritis progressed in 6 patients (25%). Patients who developed osteoarthritis had lower JOA and UCLA scores than did those who did not (JOA, P = .010; UCLA, P = .037). Conclusion: In irreparable large or massive rotator cuff tears treated using APR, functional outcome improved after surgery. Although the residual tendon attachment area improved, functional outcome after APR corresponded to the GH alterations at the midterm follow-up. Longer-term follow-up is needed to further elucidate the effect of APR on clinical outcomes in these patients.


2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (7_suppl5) ◽  
pp. 2325967119S0038
Author(s):  
Tiffany Kadow ◽  
Daniel Garcia ◽  
Rebecca Minorini ◽  
Mark Baratz ◽  
Ruth Delaney ◽  
...  

Objectives: Irreparable massive rotator cuff tears, particularly those that occur in younger patients, represent a particularly challenging clinical scenario with limited options. Treatments such as reverse total shoulder arthroplasty are typically not well indicated for this patient population. We compared two treatment methods, latissimus dorsi tendon transfer (LDTT) vs arthroscopic superior capsular reconstruction (SCR), to determine if one is superior to the other regarding improvement in range of motion (ROM) and patient reported outcomes (PROs). We hypothesize that both treatments would have similar outcomes regarding functional restoration and subjective outcomes. Methods: A retrospective cohort study assessed 43 patients with an irreparable posterosuperior rotator cuff tear after failed conservative or surgical treatment who underwent either LDTT (14 patients, 16 shoulders) or SCR (27 patients, 27 shoulders). Patients with a minimum of 6 month follow-up were included (mean follow up: 17.9 months, 14.9 months respectively). Changes in preoperative and postoperative forward flexion and external rotation were evaluated. Patient reported outcomes (PROs) including ASES, VAS, and SSV were assessed. T-test and Chi-Square statistical tests were performed. Results: The mean age at the time of surgery was 59.9yo vs 60yo for LDTT and SCR respectively (p=0.98). There were significantly more patients in the LDTT group that had undergone prior rotator cuff surgery (p<0.005) and significantly greater number of patients who had subscapularis tears which required repair in patients that underwent SCR (p<0.01). There was no difference in gender (p=0.75). Both cohorts demonstrated similar improvement in forward flexion with mean active forward flexion improving from 123° (90-160°) pre-operatively to 139° (80-180°) postoperatively in the LDTT group (p=0.157) and 85° (0-170°) preoperatively to 138° (40-175°) postoperatively in the SCR group (p =0.001). The average improvement in forward flexion was significantly greater in the SCR group with an improvement of 52° for SCR vs 14° for LDTT (p=0.035). External rotation improved in the LDTT cohort from 41° preoperatively (10-60°) to 62° (10-80°) (p=0.032) while external rotation stayed unchanged for the SCR cohort with 43° preoperatively (0-70°) to 44° (20-80°) postoperatively (p=0.868). The improvement in external rotation was significantly greater in the LDTT cohort with improvement of 19° vs 0.5° in the SCR group (p=0.011). There was no significant difference in reported ASES scores (LDTT: 65.6 vs SCR:70.9)(p=0.569), VAS (LDTT:1.78 vs SCR 2.26) (p=0.645), or SSV (LDTT:55 vs SCR:72.6) (p=0.087). Conclusion: LDTT and SCR both result in functional improvement of motion with SCR improving forward flexion to a greater extent and LDTT improving external rotation to a greater extent. Patient reported outcomes are similar between the two groups at short term follow up. Longer term outcomes are necessary before determining whether one treatment is optimal over the other as well as establishing the appropriate indications for each. [Table: see text]


2019 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 220-226 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dongwhan Suh ◽  
Jong-Hun Ji ◽  
Kirtan Tankshali ◽  
Eung-Sic Kim

Background: This retrospective study was undertaken to evaluate mid-term clinical and radiological outcomes of lattisimus dorsi (LD) tendon transfer in patients with irreparable massive rotator cuff tears (MRCT). We hypothesize that LD tendon transfer would provide safe and satisfactory clinical outcomes at mid-term follow-up.Methods: From November 2008 to December 2016, 23 patients (57.5 ± 4.4 years; 20 male, 3 female) who underwent LD tendon transfer for massive tears, were enrolled. Inclusion criteria were irreparable MRCT. Exclusion criteria included full thickness subscapularis tear, rotator cuff arthropathy, anterosuperior rotator cuff tear, and osteoarthritis. Mean follow-up period was 4.7 ± 4.0 years (range, 2?12 years). Clinical assessment (American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons [ASES], University of California, Los Angeles [UCLA], Simple Shoulder Test [SST]) and radiographic assessment (osteoarthritis [OA], acromiohumeral distance [AHI]) were evaluated.Results: ASES, UCLA and SST scores, and range of motion (ROM), except internal rotation, improved significantly at the last follow-up (<i>p</i><0.05). Also, AHI was significantly improved at the last follow-up, from 6.6 mm to 8.2 mm (<i>p</i>=0.008). At the final follow-up, the radiologic stages of the glenohumeral osteoarthritis were determined as stage 1 in 9 patients, stage 2 in 10 patients, stage 3 in 2 patients, and stage 4 in 2 patients. Complications were observed in 21.7% cases: 3 re-tears and 2 infections were noted in our study.Conclusions: LD tendon transfer for irreparable MRCT provides satisfactory clinical outcomes at mid-term follow-up. Mild degenerative osteoarthritis (stage 1, 2) of the shoulder joint are common at the mid-term follow-up. Also, complications such as tear, infection should be considered.


2019 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 203-209
Author(s):  
Sungwook Choi ◽  
Hyunchul Yang ◽  
Hyunseong Kang ◽  
Gyeong Min Kim

Background: Clinical outcomes and prognosis of large and massive rotator cuff tears are known to be unpredictable not only in degeneration of the rotator cuff, but also due to a high rate of retear.Methods: Totally, 81 patients who had undergone arthroscopic rotator cuff repair from May 2008 to February 2016 were evaluated in our study. Clinical and functional evaluations were performed with the Constant score and the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) score, as well as full physical examination of the shoulder. All patients were confirmed to have magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of tendon healing at least 1 year postoperatively.Results: The average age at the time of surgery was 65 years (range, 47?78 years). The average duration of postoperative time in which a follow-up MRI was performed was 36.1 months (range, 12?110 months). Large tears were present in 48 cases (59.3%) and massive tears in 33 cases (40.7%). Overall, there were 33 retear cases (40.7%). All the average clinical outcome scores were significantly improved at the last follow-up (<i>p</i><0.001), although repair integrity was not maintained. Compared to type A, types C, and D of the Collin’s classification showed significantly higher retear rates (<i>p</i>=0.036).Conclusions: Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair yields improved clinical outcomes and a relatively high degree of patient satisfaction, despite the repair integrity not being maintained. Involvement of the subscapularis muscle or infraspinatus muscle had no effect on the retear rate.


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