title: A comparative clinical evaluation of arthroscopic single-row versus double-row supraspinatus tendon repair.
abstract: Cadaveric studies and commercial pressure have initiated a strong trend towards double-row repair in arthroscopic cuff surgery. The objective of this study was to evaluate if the biomechanical advantages of a double-row supraspinatus tendon repair would result in superior clinical outcome and higher abduction strength. A retrospective study of two groups of 32 single-row and 33 double-row repairs of small to medium cuff tears was performed. The Simple Shoulder Test (SST) and a visual analog scale for pain were used to evaluate the outcome. The participation rate was 100%. A subset of patients was further investigated with the Constant Score (CS) including electronic strength measurement. The double-row repair patients had significantly more (p = 0.01) yes answers in the SST than the single-row group, and pain reduction was slightly better (p = 0.03). No difference was found for the relative CS (p = 0.86) and abduction strength (p = 0.74). Patient satisfaction was 100% for double-row and 97% for single-row repair. Single- and double-row repairs both achieved excellent clinical results. Evidence of superiority of double-row repair is still scarce and has to be balanced against the added complexity of the procedure and higher costs.
authors.affiliation: "Shouldercare Institute", Engeried-Sonnenhof Hospital, Berne, Switzerland. ebuess@shoulder-care.ch
authors.forename: Eduard
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Buess
authors.forename: Bernhard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Waibl
authors.forename: Roger
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Vogel
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Seidner
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001182:Arthroscopy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D020127:Recovery of Function; D000070636:Rotator Cuff Injuries; D053441:Suture Anchors; D055815:Young Adult