The arthroscopic triple-row modified suture bridge technique for rotator cuff repair: functional outcome and repair integrity.

BACKGROUND: The optimal technique for arthroscopic rotator cuff repair is still controversial. Large tears with a high grade of retraction have an especially high risk of retearing. This study reports the clinical and radiologic results of a triple-row modified suture bridge technique for the treatment of full-thickness rotator cuff tears with medium and high grades of retraction. METHODS: A total of 101 shoulders in 100 patients underwent a triple-row modified suture bridge reconstruction for full-thickness rotator cuff tears with retraction grade II and grade III according to Patte; 81 patients were reached for follow-up 36.2 months after surgery. At follow-up, clinical outcome was assessed by the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score, subjective shoulder value, visual analog scale score, University of California-Los Angeles shoulder score, and Constant score (CS). At follow-up, an ultrasound examination was performed to determine tendon integrity or retears in all patients. RESULTS: The overall retear rate was 4.9% (4/81). The clinical outcome was good to excellent (American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score, 94 ± 11; subjective shoulder value, 92 ± 12; University of California-Los Angeles shoulder score, 33 ± 5; Constant score, 90 ± 9). In the radiologic follow-up, no retear was found in any of the follow-up patients after an average of 36.2 months. There was no significant difference in clinical outcome parameters between rotator cuff tears Patte II and Patte III (P > .05). CONCLUSION: For tears with a high grade of retraction, surgical treatment using a triple-row modified suture bridge technique represents a good treatment option with a low rate of retearing and good to excellent clinical results.

Application of a new polyester patch in arthroscopic massive rotator cuff repair-a prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Massive rotator cuff (RC) tears still present a clinically challenging problem, with reported rerupture rates in up to 94%. The study objective was to determine the impact of synthetic patch augmentation for massive RC tears. METHODS: Between June 2012 and 2014, we performed 50 arthroscopic RC reconstructions augmented with a synthetic polyester patch. Pre- and postoperative imaging methods included arthrographic magnetic resonance imaging, arthrographic computed tomography, and ultrasound examination to determine tendon integrity or rerupture. Clinical outcome was evaluated using the Constant-Murley score and the subjective shoulder value. Mean clinical midterm and final follow-up was 22 months (9-35 months) and 52 months (25-74 months), respectively. RESULTS: The mean Constant-Murley score increased significantly from 36.5 (±16.4 standard deviation [SD]) preoperatively to a midterm value of 81.2 (±9.6 SD; P < .0001) and further improved to a mean of 83.4 (±10.8 SD) at final follow-up. The mean subjective shoulder value increased from 40.3 (±24.3 SD) to 89.2 (±12.9 SD; P < .0001) at midterm and to 89.6 (±15.2 SD) at final follow-up. We observed 7 complete reruptures (14%). However, reruptures did not correlate with revision surgery, which was performed in 8 patients. The main reason for revision was frozen shoulder or arthrofibrosis with an intact reconstruction and patch, which was performed in 6 cases. CONCLUSIONS: The retear rate of 14% compared favorably with nonaugmented RC repairs in the literature. Therefore, we conclude that patch augmentation in massive RC tears is feasible to reduce retears and to improve clinical outcome.

10 Years of Arthroscopic Latarjet Procedure: Outcome and Complications.

BACKGROUND: The treatment of anterior glenohumeral instability with a Bankart repair combined with a capsular plication is a frequently used arthroscopic technique. Latarjet created an open bone block procedure in 1954 for the treatment of anteroinferior glenohumeral instability. This procedure has been further developed by Lafosse in 2003 for arthroscopic surgery. The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical outcome and complications of the latter procedure, most notably infection rate and nerve damage. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 132 shoulders (106 males/19 females, 68 right/64 left) were included in this retrospective study. Patients were included if treatment was performed for anterior instability and if the patient's instability severity index score was at least 4, or if a revision procedure was performed after a prior unsuccessful arthroscopic or open capsule and labral repair. Treatment included the arthroscopic transfer of the coracoid process for the anterior stabilization of the shoulder joint. The disabilities of the arm, shoulder, and hand score were evaluated postoperatively in 76 patients and compared with the results found in the literature. Mean followup was 20.1 [±14.09] months. RESULTS: The rate of recurrent glenohumeral instability which needed revision surgery after the arthroscopic Latarjet procedure was 6.1% (n = 8). There were no severe neurovascular complications seen in our cohort. In 32 cases, re-operation was performed due to subjective discomfort because of screw impingement or postoperative shoulder stiffness. CONCLUSION: The all-arthroscopic Latarjet procedure developed by Lafosse is a valid and reliable method for the treatment of shoulder instability. Our favorable results indicating that this procedure can prevent chronic shoulder luxation are repeatable, and the rate of postoperative recurrence is low.

Identification of a Remodeled Neo-tendon After Arthroscopic Latarjet Procedure.

PURPOSE: To macroscopically, histologically, and radiologically describe a time-dependent remodeling process of a neo-tendon or -ligament in the shoulder after the arthroscopic Latarjet procedure. METHODS: During follow-up surgery after the arthroscopic Latarjet procedure, 17 shoulders in 16 patients were evaluated for a remodeled tendon-like structure. The mean overall follow-up period was 27.4 months. The mean time between the arthroscopic Latarjet procedure and revision was 11.6 months. All shoulders were evaluated with magnetic resonance imaging, and seven histologic specimens were obtained during revision surgery. RESULTS: A distinct, oriented strand of tissue was found in 16 of 17 shoulders on revision surgery. Postoperative magnetic resonance imaging analyses showed a signal-free, longitudinal tendon-like structure originating at the tip of the acromion, traversing the space of the former subcoracoid bursa to attach in the course of the transposed conjoint tendon or the proximal short head of the biceps. Histologic analysis of seven specimens showed a characteristic timeline of remodeling. CONCLUSIONS: A tendon- or ligament-like structure is remodeled between the anterior bottom tip of the acromion and the transposed coracoid process in a time-dependent manner after the arthroscopic Latarjet procedure. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, therapeutic case series.

Arthroscopic tenodesis versus tenotomy of the long head of biceps tendon in simultaneous rotator cuff repair.

INTRODUCTION: Full thickness rotator cuff tears are a common cause of shoulder pain and disability. While the role of the rotator cuff seems to be well known, the clinical significance of the biceps tendon for shoulder function has still been a subject of controversy. The aim of this study was to evaluate differences between tenodesis or tenotomy in simultaneous rotator cuff repair. METHODS: For this retrospective study 53 consecutive patients (25f/28m, Ø age 58 years) undergoing arthroscopic double row rotator cuff reconstruction and suture bridge repair were included. The LHB was treated with tenodesis (n = 24) or tenotomy (n = 29). Clinical examination was carried out for all patients after an average of 34 months (range 27­38) following arthroscopic surgery. The Constant score, level of pain, range of motion in flexion and abduction, and isometric force for the operated and healthy shoulder in flexion and abduction were recorded. RESULTS: Patients in the tenodesis and tenotomy group reached similar good result regarding the Constant score (86.6 ± 11.9 vs. 81.3 ± 12.2; P = 0.120), pain (median 0, range 0­8 vs. Median 0, range 0­10; P = 0.421), and range of motion (flexion: median 180°, range 90°­180° vs. median 180°, range 90°­180°; P = 0.833; abduction: median 180°, range 90°­180° vs. median 180°, range 120°­180°; P = 0.472). Postoperative popeye sign was found only in one patient (1.9 %). At the time of postoperative follow-up, no patient reported cramping of the biceps. Isometric forces in abduction of the tenotomy group (mean 4.7 ± 2.9 kg; maximum 5.5 ± 2.8 kg) was significant lower compared to the tenodesis group (mean 6.6 ± 3.0 kg, P = 0.019; maximum 7.7 ± 2.9 kg, P = 0.007) and compared to healthy shoulders (mean 6.1 ± 3.0 kg P = 0.004; maximum 7.4 ± 3.1 kg, P = 0.001), all other measurements were similar. CONCLUSION: According to our results arthroscopic biceps tenodesis and tenotomy are valuable procedures in simultaneous rotator cuff repair regarding function, pain, and range of motion. However, the tenotomy group showed reduced strength in abduction. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, retrospective case series.