Clinical outcomes of double-row versus single-row rotator cuff repairs.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this review was to determine whether there is a difference in the clinical outcome between single-row and double-row rotator cuff repairs.


METHODS
We performed a systematic review of the results of clinical studies investigating and comparing double-row and single-row repair techniques. The articles meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria were assessed for quality of the study; the results were then reviewed to provide a concise conclusion regarding the clinical outcomes of double-row versus single-row rotator cuff repair.


RESULTS
There were 3 Level I studies and 2 Level II studies comparing the clinical outcomes of double-row and single-row rotator cuff repair. At 1-year follow-up, there was no statistically significant clinical difference between patients who had undergone double-row repair and those who had undergone single-row rotator cuff repair.


CONCLUSIONS
Arthroscopic rotator cuff repairs with double-row repair show no significant difference compared with single-row repair in clinical outcome at 1-year follow-up. Additional prospective, randomized controlled trials are needed with longer-term follow-up to determine whether there is any clinical difference between the 2 techniques.


METHODS
Level II, systematic review of Level I and II studies.
Wall
Lindley B
LB
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Washington University, St Louis, Missouri, USA.
Keener
Jay D
JD
Brophy
Robert H
RH
D001182:Arthroscopy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D017006:Rotator Cuff / Q000601:surgery*; D000070636:Rotator Cuff Injuries; D013536:Suture Techniques; D016896:Treatment Outcome