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Non-anatomic arthroscopic repair of massive rotator cuff tears versus anatomic complete arthroscopic repair: a case-control study

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Abstract

Purpose

To investigate whether a non-anatomic arthroscopic repair of massive rotator cuff tear (RCT) produces satisfactory clinical outcomes comparable to those of an anatomic complete arthroscopic repair.

Methods

A retrospective case-control study (prospectively collected data, mean follow-up: 32.7 months ± 29.5; range 12–80 months) was conducted with patients with massive RCT who underwent either an anatomic complete arthroscopic repair (group A: 34 patients) or a non-anatomic arthroscopic repair (partial repair or medialized repair, group B: 30 patients). The rate of success was calculated primarily by the number of patients per group who achieved a minimal clinically important difference between the preoperative and postoperative values of (a) the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Shoulder Score, (b) the constant score and (c) secondarily, the visual analogue scale (VAS-pain). Active range of motion (shoulder forward flexion, abduction, external rotation in 0° and 90° abduction), muscle strength and external rotation lag sign were also assessed.

Results

No significant statistical differences amongst groups were found concerning the baseline demographic and clinical characteristics. All postoperative clinical and functional scores were significantly improved in both groups (p < 0.001). According to our primary and secondary success rate criteria, both treatments were found to be successful, whereas there was no significant difference amongst them.

Conclusions

Non-anatomic arthroscopic repair of massive RCT illustrated satisfactory outcomes, which are not significantly different from those reported after an anatomic complete arthroscopic repair.

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Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank Dr. Theano-Erifili Moschona, Ph.D., for her valuable contribution in the statistical part of the trial.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. 3rd Orthopaedic Department, HYGEIA Hospital, Erythrou Stavrou 4, Marousi, 15123, Athens, Greece

    M.-A. Malahias, G. Avramidis, E. Brilakis, A. Trellopoulos & E. Antonogiannakis

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  1. M.-A. Malahias
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  2. G. Avramidis
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  3. E. Brilakis
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  4. A. Trellopoulos
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  5. E. Antonogiannakis
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Correspondence to M.-A. Malahias.

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Author A, Author B, Author C, Author D and Author E declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards. For this type of study formal consent is not required.

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Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

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Malahias, MA., Avramidis, G., Brilakis, E. et al. Non-anatomic arthroscopic repair of massive rotator cuff tears versus anatomic complete arthroscopic repair: a case-control study. Musculoskelet Surg 104, 187–193 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12306-019-00611-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12306-019-00611-4

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