Can a double-row anchorage technique improve tendon healing in arthroscopic rotator cuff repair?: A prospective, nonrandomized, comparative study of double-row and single-row anchorage techniques with computed tomographic arthrography tendon healing assessment.
BACKGROUND
Increasing the rate of watertight tendon healing has been suggested as an important criterion for optimizing clinical results in rotator cuff arthroscopic repair.


OBJECTIVE
A double-row anchorage technique for rotator cuff repair will produce better clinical results and a better rate of tendon healing than a single-row technique.


METHODS
Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2.


METHODS
We compared 31 patients undergoing surgery with a double-row anchorage technique using Panalok anchors and Cuff Tack anchors and 35 patients with rotator cuff tear undergoing surgery with a single-row anchorage arthroscopic technique using Panalok anchors. We compared pre- and postoperative Constant score and tendon healing, as evaluated by computed tomographic arthrography 6 months after surgery, in these 2 groups.


RESULTS
The Constant score increased significantly in both groups, with no difference between the 2 groups (P = .4). Rotator cuff healing was judged anatomic in 19 patients with double-row anchorage and in 14 patients with single-row anchorage; this difference between the groups was significant (P = .03).


CONCLUSIONS
In this first study comparing double- and single-row anchorage techniques, we found no significant difference in clinical results, but tendon healing rates were better with the double-row anchorage. Improvements in the double-row technique might lead to better clinical and tendon healing results.
Charousset
Christophe
C
Association Francilienne de Traumatologie du Sport, 60, rue de Courcelles, 75008 Paris, France. c.charousset@lafts.com
Grimberg
Jean
J
Duranthon
Louis Denis
LD
Bellaiche
Laurance
L
Petrover
David
D
D000328:Adult; D001175:Arthrography; D001182:Arthroscopy / Q000592:standards*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D017006:Rotator Cuff / Q000601:surgery*; D000070636:Rotator Cuff Injuries; D053441:Suture Anchors; D013536:Suture Techniques / Q000592:standards*; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014945:Wound Healing