RESUMEN
Objective:To investigate the efficacy of arthroscopic superior capsular reconstruction using composite autologous patch graft combined with tenodesis of the long head of the biceps tendon in the treatment of irreparable massive rotator cuff tears (IMRCT).Methods:A retrospective case series study was performed on 11 IMRCT patients who were admitted to Affiliated Fuyang Hospital of Bengbu Medical University (Fuyang People′s Hospital) from May 2020 to June 2022, including 7 males and 4 females, aged 54-74 years [(62.6±7.3)years]. All the patients were treated with arthroscopic superior capsular reconstruction using composite patch graft combined with tenodesis of the long head of the biceps tendon. The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Acromiohumeral Distance (AHD), Constant-Murley score and University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) score and active range of motion of the shoulder joint before, at 6 months after surgery and at the last follow-up were compared. At the last follow-up, the integrity of reconstructed superior capsule and the long head of the biceps tendon was evaluated using MRI of the shoulder joint. Postoperative complications were observed.Results:All the patients were followed up for 13-39 months [16(13, 36)months]. The VAS score, AHD, Constant-Murley score, and UCLA score were 2(2, 3)points, (9.1±1.1)mm, (56.1±5.4)points, and (19.7±2.8)points respectively at 6 months after surgery, which were all significantly improved from those before surgery [6(5, 7)points, (5.1±1.2)mm, (37.9±2.2)points, and (11.8±1.2)points] ( P<0.05). The VAS score, AHD, Constant-Murley score, and UCLA score were 0(0, 1)points, (8.4±0.9)mm, (83.6±3.8)points, and (28.2±2.3)points respectively at the last follow-up, which were all significantly improved from those before surgery ( P<0.05). At the last follow-up, the VAS score or AHD were not significantly improved from those at 6 months after surgery ( P>0.05); Constant-Murley score and UCLA score were both significantly improved from those at 6 months after surgery ( P<0.05). At 6 months after surgery, shoulder active ranges of motion in forward flexion, abduction and external rotation were (134.6±13.5)°, (124.6±18.6)° and 45(40, 50)° respectively, which were all significantly improved compared with those before surgery [(63.2±36.1)°, (65.0±23.1)°, and [30(20, 40)°] ( P<0.05). At the last follow-up, shoulder active ranges of motion in forward flexion, abduction and external rotation were (144.1±12.6)°, (139.6±15.4)° and 60(45, 65)° respectively, which were all significantly improved compared with those before surgery ( P<0.05). There were no significant differences in active range of motion of the shoulder in forward flexion, abduction and external rotation between 6 months after surgery and the last follow-up ( P>0.05). At the last follow-up, MRI revealed integrity of the reconstructed superior joint capsule and the long head of the biceps tendon in 10 patients. One patient developed resorption of the greater tuberosity and 1 showed a partial tear of the supraspinatus tendon at 1 year after surgery. Conclusion:Arthroscopic superior capsular reconstruction using composite autologous patch graft combined with tenodesis of the long head of the biceps tendon can relieve shoulder pain, decrease upward displacement of the humerus head, improve the function and range of motion of the shoulder joint, and reduce complications in the treatment of IMRCT.
RESUMEN
Objective To investigate the clinical outcome of Ellman grade Ⅲ bursal-side partial-thickness rotator cuff tears(b-PT-RCT)treated by the arthroscopic single-row technique with articular tendon fibers reservation.Methods A retrospective study was conducted on 31 patients with Ellman grade Ⅲ (b-PT-RCT) who underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (RCR) with the single-row technique in our hospital between January 2014 and October 2016.The intact articular side tissue of the rotator cuff was reserved in 17 patients of group A,and was resected to convert to a full-thickness cuff tear in 14 patients of group B.The visual analog pain scale(VAS)score,Constant-Murley score and shoulder active range of motion(ROM),and magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)results were compared between the two groups during the last follow-up.Results Among the 31 patients,25 were followed,with 14 in group A followed for an average of 16.29(12～25)months and 11 of group B followed for an average of 15.37(12～27)months.There were no significant differences between the two groups in all measurements before the intervention and at the last follow-up.After the operation,significant improvement was observed in all planes of the active ROM for both groups(P＜0.05).The VAS score of group A and B decreased significantly from 6.50 ± 1.16 and 6.63 ± 1.80 before the operation to 0.86 ± 0.57 and 0.91 ± 0.63 at the last follow-up(P＜0.05 for both).However,the average Constant-Murley score improved significantly from 55.21 ± 6.40 to 86.85 ± 4.85 in Group A(P＜0.05),while from 54.37 ± 6.30 to 85.73 ± 5.36 in group B(P＜0.05).During the last follow-up,no retear occurred in both groups according to the MRI examination.Conclusion The outcome of single-row repair for grade Ⅲ bursal-sided partial-thickness rotator cuff tears with either articular tendon preservation or converting of the lesion to a full-thickness tear is satisfying.No significant differences were found in their clinical outcomes.