title: Large and massive tears of the rotator cuff: functional outcome and integrity of the repair after a mini-open procedure.
abstract: The aim of this study was to determine the functional outcome and rate of re-tears following mini-open repair of symptomatic large and massive tears of the rotator cuff using a two-row technique. The 24 patients included in the study were assessed prospectively before and at a mean of 27 months (18 to 53) after surgery using the Constant and the Oxford Shoulder scores. Ultrasound examination was carried out at follow-up to determine the integrity of the repair. Patient satisfaction was assessed using a simple questionnaire. The mean Constant score improved significantly from 36 before to 68 after operation (p < 0.0001) and the mean Oxford Shoulder score from 39 to 20 (p < 0.0001). Four of the 24 patients (17%) had a re-tear diagnosed by ultrasound. A total of 21 patients (87.5%) were satisfied with the outcome of their surgery. The repair remained intact in 20 patients (83%). However, the small number of re-tears (four patients) in the study did not allow sufficient analysis to show a difference in outcome in relation to the integrity of the repair.
authors.affiliation: Orthopaedic Research Office, Academic Centre, James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough, England. bhanusch@doctors.org.uk
authors.forename: B C
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Hanusch
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Goodchild
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Finn
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rangan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001182:Arthroscopy / Q000379:methods; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D022125:Lacerations / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000502:physiology; D012086:Reoperation; D017006:Rotator Cuff / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D000070636:Rotator Cuff Injuries; D012785:Shoulder Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014463:Ultrasonography