2017 ISAKOS Biennial Congress ePoster #2259

 

Is The Arthroscopic Suture Bridge Suture Technique Suitable For Full-Thickness Rotator Cuff Tears Of Any Size? A Comparison Of Clinical And Anatomical Outcomes With The Modified Tension Band Suture Technique

Sung Hyun Lee, Prof., Iksan-Si, Jeollabuk-do KOREA, REPUBLIC OF
Se Jin Kim, MD, Iksan KOREA, REPUBLIC OF
Jeong-Woo Kim, MD, Iksan KOREA, REPUBLIC OF

WonKwang University Hospital, Iksan, Chunlabukdo, KOREA, REPUBLIC OF

FDA Status Not Applicable

Summary

The re-tear rate was lower with the SB technique than with the MTB technique in large-to-massive rotator cuff tears. Additionally, better functional and anatomical outcomes may be achieved with the SB technique. For the repair of rotator cuff tears of all sizes, the SB technique was a more reasonable method than the MTB technique

Abstract

Purpose

We aimed to compare the functional outcome and tendon integrity of patients who underwent arthroscopic repair of rotator cuff tears with the suture bridge (SB) and modified tension band (MTB) techniques.

Methods

The MTB and SB techniques were used from June 2011 to December 2012 and December 2012 to January 2014, respectively (MTB group: 69 patients, 28 men; SB group: 49 patients, 22 men). The mean age of patients at the time of surgery was 59.9 years (41–68 years) and 60 years (41–78 years) in the MTB and SB groups, respectively, and the mean follow-up period was 43.6 months (27–56 months) and 30.2 months (24–43 months), respectively. The pain visual analogue scale (VAS), Constant, and American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) scores were measured preoperatively and at the final follow-up. Rotator cuff atrophy was quantified by using the occupation ratio (OR). Rotator cuff integrity and the global fatty degeneration index (GFDI) were determined by using magnetic resonance imaging at 6 months postoperatively.

Results

The average VAS, Constant, and ASES scores showed significant improvement at the final follow-up in both groups (p < 0.05 for all scores). The re-tear rate of small-to-medium tears was similar in the MTB and SB groups (7.0% vs. 6.8%, respectively; p = 0.969). In large-to-massive tears, the re-tear rate was significantly lower in the SB group than in the MTB group (33.3% vs. 70%; p = 0.035). The SB technique showed significantly better outcomes in terms of fatty infiltration (postoperative GFDI, p = 0.022) and muscle atrophy (postoperative OR, p = 0.038).

Conclusion

The re-tear rate was lower with the SB technique than with the MTB technique in large-to-massive rotator cuff tears. Additionally, better functional and anatomical outcomes may be achieved with the SB technique. For the repair of rotator cuff tears of all sizes, the SB technique was a more reasonable method than the MTB technique.