• Baris Kocaoglu, Goktug Firatli, and Tekin Kerem Ulku.
• Department of Orthopedic Surgery, School of Medicine, Acibadem University, Istanbul, Turkey.
• Orthop J Sports Med. 2020 Jun 1; 8 (6): 2325967120922526.

BackgroundSeveral treatment options are available for stable massive rotator cuff tears, including partial repair with or without tissue augmentation, tendon transfer, superior capsular reconstruction (SCR), and reverse shoulder arthroplasty.Purpose/HypothesisThe purpose of this study was to compare the outcomes and effectiveness of partial rotator cuff repair with SCR using the long head of the biceps tendon (PRCR-SCRB) and SCR with a tensor fasciae latae autograft (SCRTF) for the treatment of rotator cuff tears with severe fatty degeneration. The hypothesis of this study was that SCRTF would be superior to PRCR-SCRB in functional and anatomic outcomes.Study DesignCohort study; Level of evidence, 3.MethodsA total of 26 consecutive patients with massive and fatty degenerative rotator cuff tears were treated surgically. Patients were divided into either the PRCR-SCRB group (n = 14) or SCRTF group (n = 12). Functional outcomes were assessed at final follow-up, and the acromiohumeral distance (AHD) was measured.ResultsAll functional scores significantly improved in both groups at final follow-up. The PRCR-SCRB group showed better overall outcomes in terms of the visual analog scale for pain; American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score; and Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand, but these differences were not statistically significant. Better outcomes were found for only the AHD for the PRCR-SCRB group without statistical significance (P = .4). No statistical difference was found in terms of retear rate.ConclusionPRCR-SCRB had comparable outcomes and improvement in AHD compared with SCRTF without the need for additional graft harvesting.© The Author(s) 2020.

6 keywords...

hide…