Arthroscopic repair of full-thickness rotator cuff tears using bioabsorbable tacks.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical results of bioabsorbable tacks (Suretac; Smith & Nephew Endoscopy, Mansfield, MA) for the arthroscopic repair of full-thickness rotator cuff tears.


METHODS
Prospective case series.


METHODS
A prospective clinical review was performed on 53 patients (38 men, 15 women) with full-thickness rotator cuff tears repaired arthroscopically using bioabsorbable tacks. Minimum follow-up was 24 months and patients were evaluated using preoperative and postoperative American Shoulder and Elbow Society (ASES) scores and Short-Form 36 Health Surveys (SF-36). A Constant and Murley score was performed at a minimum of 2 years postoperatively.


RESULTS
The average patient age was 51 years (range, 23 to 74 years) and the average time for review was 29 months (range, 24 to 60 months). The average size of rotator cuff tears measured 2.5 cm (range, 1 to 5 cm) and an average of 2 Suretacs (range, 1 to 4) were used for the repair. Ten patients had tears larger than 3 cm and 5 patients had tears that measured 5 cm or larger. The average total score according to the ASES shoulder index improved from 33 to 85 points. The average score for pain improved from 6.9 to 1.3 points. The score for function improved from 11 to 25 points. These results were statistically significant (P < 0.01). There was a significant improvement in all components of the SF-36 survey. The average postoperative Constant score was 87 with the pain component measuring 12 points, range of movement 38 points, and power 21 points.


CONCLUSIONS
Arthroscopic repair of full-thickness rotator cuff tears using bioabsorbable tacks produces satisfactory outcomes with regard to objective orthopaedic criteria as well as overall patient satisfaction in terms of pain relief and function. Arthroscopic rotator cuff repairs are technically demanding procedures. The use of tacks facilitates this procedure without any apparent deterioration in clinical results.


METHODS
Level IV, case series.
McBirnie
Julie M
JM
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland. julie@jmcbirnie.freeserve.co.uk
Miniaci
Anthony
A
Miniaci
Sara Lyn
SL
D020341:Absorbable Implants; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001182:Arthroscopy / Q000379:methods*; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011182:Postoperative Care; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D020127:Recovery of Function; D017006:Rotator Cuff / Q000601:surgery*; D000070636:Rotator Cuff Injuries; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome