title: Deformities associated with the suture-bridge technique for full-thickness rotator cuff tears.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study was performed to evaluate the incidence and cause of deformities associated with the suture-bridge technique in rotator cuff tears.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a prospective review of a consecutive series of 100 shoulders with full-thickness tears (50 with medium tears, 43 with large tears, and 7 with massive tears) treated by use of the suture-bridge technique in 2007. The surgical technique was classified according to the number of suture anchors inserted in the medial and lateral rows (2 x 2 suture bridges in 82 cases, 3 x 2 in 12, and 3 x 3 in 6). On arthroscopy, the development of a marginal dog-ear deformity and central bird-beak deformity during the repair was investigated. These deformities were corrected by use of the modified suture-bridge technique or by insertion of an additional suture anchor.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Dog-ear deformities occurred in 47 cases and were most frequent in large tears treated with a 2 x 2 suture bridge (21 cases). Dog-ear deformities in 2 x 2 suture bridges were more frequent in large tears than in medium tears (P < .05), and with large tears, they were more frequent with 2 x 2 suture bridges than with 3 x 2 suture bridges (P < .05). Bird-beak deformities occurred in 13 cases and were most frequent in large tears treated with 2 x 2 suture bridges (9 cases). Bird-beak deformities with 2 x 2 suture bridges were more frequent in large tears than in medium tears (P < .05), and with large tears, they were more frequent with 2 x 2 suture bridges than with 3 x 2 suture bridges (P < .05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  To reduce deformities associated with the suture-bridge technique during rotator cuff repair, individualized repair methods may be applied according to the size and pattern of the rotator cuff tear.
  
  
  METHODS
  Level IV, therapeutic case series.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Chungnam National University College of Medicine, Daejeon, South Korea. kckim@cnuh.co.kr
authors.forename: Kyung-Cheon
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Kwang-Jin
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Rhee
authors.forename: Hyun-Dae
authors.initials: HD
authors.lastname: Shin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001182:Arthroscopy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000473:pathology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017006:Rotator Cuff / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000601:surgery*; D000070636:Rotator Cuff Injuries; D013536:Suture Techniques; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000145:classification / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery