Irreparable Large to Massive Rotator Cuff Tears With Low-Grade Fatty Degeneration of the Infraspinatus Tendon: Minimum 7-Year Follow-up of Fascia Autograft Patch Procedure and Partial Repair

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.

Treatment Options for Massive Irreparable Rotator Cuff Tears

Purpose of Review Massive irreparable rotator cuff tears present a significant challenge to the orthopedic surgeon. No single treatment, particularly among joint-preserving options, has been shown to be superior. The purpose of this review is to discuss recent advances in the treatment of massive irreparable rotator cuff tears, including partial repair with and without graft augmentation, interposition grafts, superior capsule reconstruction, subacromial balloon spacers, tendon transfer, and reverse total shoulder arthroplasty. We will also offer guidance on surgical indications based on our clinical experience. Recent Findings Partial repair may offer reasonable clinical improvement for patients with lower preoperative function despite high re-tear rates. Additionally, several types of interposition grafts have shown promising short-term results and may outperform repair alone. Subacromial balloon spacers may lead to clinical improvement, especially in patients without glenohumeral osteoarthritis or pseudoparalysis, and recently received FDA approval for use in the USA. Superior capsule reconstruction is a technically demanding procedure that appears to produce excellent short-term results particularly when performed at high volume, but long-term studies in heterogeneous study groups are needed. Tendon transfers improve function by restoring force coupling in the shoulder, offering a promising option for younger patients. Reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA) is a reliable option for treatment of irreparable cuff tears in elderly patients with lower functional demands. Summary Irreparable cuff tears remain a difficult condition to treat. Recommended treatment for younger patients without glenohumeral osteoarthritis is particularly controversial. For older patients with low-demand lifestyles and glenohumeral osteoarthritis, RTSA is an effective treatment option. For all discussed procedures, patient selection appears to play a critical role in clinical outcomes.

Subacromial Balloon Spacer versus Partial Repair for Massive Rotator Cuff Tears: A Prospective, Randomized, Multi-center Trial

Objectives: Despite various treatment options, the successful management of irreparable, massive rotator cuff tears (MRCTs) remains challenging. Implantation of a biodegradable subacromial balloon spacer (InSpaceTM system; OrthoSpace, Caesarea, Isreal) has gained considerable interest for the treatment of MCRTs due to its ability to effectively recenter the humeral head within the glenoid. Despite promising results, investigations examining outcomes following balloon spacer implantation are limited to small case series and short-term prospective trials without comparison to other surgical modalities. The purpose of the present investigation was to prospectively evaluate the safety and efficacy of the arthroscopically deployed, subacromial spacer balloon compared to partial rotator cuff repair in patients with MRCTs at 24 month follow up. Methods: A non-inferiority, prospective, single-blinded, multicenter, randomized, controlled, pivotal study was conducted to compare the outcomes of arthroscopic subacromial balloon spacer implantation to partial repair in the treatment of MRCTs. Patients ≥ 40 years of age with symptomatic full thickness MRCTs (tears ≥ 5 cm or ≥ 2 tendons) that had failed non-operative management were included. Clinical outcome data, derived from subjective questionnaires and physical examination, were collected at baseline and follow-up intervals at Day 10, Week 6, Month 3, 6, 12 and 24. Postoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans were obtained at 6 weeks and 12 months. The primary composite effectiveness endpoint was defined as achievement of the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) for the Western Ontario Rotator Cuff (WORC) score (275 points) and American Shoulder and Elbow Society (ASES) score (6.4 points) by week 6 and maintenance at month 12 without subsequent secondary surgical intervention (SSSI) or serious adverse device effects (SADEs). Secondary effectiveness endpoints included changes in individual and composite clinical outcome scores relative to baseline in addition to MRI findings. Intention-to-treat (ITT), per-protocol (PP), and safety analyses were performed separately. Results: A total of 20 sites were enrolled in the investigation. One hundred, eighty-four patients were randomized into the clinical study (n= 93 balloon spacer; n= 91 partial repair) and included in the safety population, of which 183 patients were included in the ITT analysis (n=93 balloon spacer; n= 90 partial repair) and 176 in the PP analysis (n= 88 balloon spacer; n= 88 partial repair). No significant difference in demographic characteristics based on mean age, sex, race or body mass index were appreciated between groups. Mean procedure duration was 44.6 ± 16.9 minutes for the balloon spacer group and 71.2 ± 30.1 minutes for the partial repair group. Significant improvement over time relative to baseline was observed in all WORC (Fig. 1) and ASES (Fig. 2) scores in both groups. The magnitude of improvement for subjects in the balloon spacer group was the same or better than for subjects in the partial repair group at 12 and 24 month follow up. At 12 months, 51% (n=45 of 88) of patients in the balloon spacer group and 35 patients 40% (n= 35 of 88) in the partial repair group had reached and maintained the primary composite endpoint, meeting the noninferiority criteria (non-inferiority margin 10%; p = 0.0049) and corresponding to an 11.4% mean advantage for the spacer implant group. Non-inferiority was similarly confirmed in the ITT population (p=0.0089). SSSI occurred in 6 subjects (n=3 balloon spacer; n=3 partial repair), with two subjects in each group requiring reverse shoulder arthroplasty and one subject in each group undergoing shoulder arthroscopy. Conclusions: Use of the balloon spacer was found to produce non-inferior outcomes when compared to partial rotator cuff repair for patients with MRCTs at 24 month follow up. Outcomes following balloon spacer device placement met non-inferiority criteria when compared to the partial repair group based on primary composite endpoints.

A novel technique to rebuild the Valsava sinus in acute type A aortic dissection

Background. There has been many techniques described to preserve the integrity of the aortic root with good outcomes for those with acute type A aortic dissection. However, whether to use these technique in emergency patients presenting with AADA remains controversial.Methods. Between December 2019 and Feburary 2021, 11 patients underwent aortic root partial repair using a button technique.Results. The postoperative echocardiography 1 month after operation showed mild regurgitation in 7 cases and moderate regurgitation in 2 cases. Two patients died because of low cardiac outflow. Temporary neurological dysfunction was observed in one patient and hoarseness occurred in one patient.Conclusions. Our partial aortic root remodeling operation is very easy to operate and has a good short-term effect. It might be a useful strategy for acute type A aortic dissection in patients with one or two Valsalva sinuses affected.

Understanding variability in defense against direct screens in basketball

This paper presents a cognitive ethnography on the variability of interpersonal coordination in defense against direct screens during basketball games. We collected data through observation of ten games of Estudiantes U18 Team during the 2014/2015 season in Madrid. We filmed the game and showed clips of specific direct screens to players while conducting semi-structured interviews. We analyzed the video and the discourse qualitatively following grounded theory principles. We identified three categories expressing variability: failure, partial repair, and functional variation. Even though communication was quoted by the interviewed players as a key element in their decision-making, other contextual elements – related to framing and joint attention- affected the degree of variation and success. Based on these findings, the paper offers some recommendations for coaching the tactical behaviour of defense against direct screens.

Midterm Functional and Structural Outcomes of Large/Massive Cuff Tears Treated by Arthroscopic Partial Repair

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.