Complications associated with arthroscopic rotator cuff repair: a literature review.
The aim of this literature review was to report complications associated with arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (RCR). A computerized search of articles published between 200 and 2009 was performed using MEDLINE and PubMed. We included clinical studies (Level 1-4): (a) investigating patients with rotator cuff tears, managed by a completely arthroscopic RCR technique; (b) reported data about complications. Data about arthroscopic-assisted techniques were excluded. Articles that meet criteria inclusion were analytically examined. Complications were classified into general complications and specific complications related to arthroscopic RCR. We found 414 complications in 2,890 patients; most of them were specific complications related to arthroscopic RCR. Re-rupture was the most frequently encountered complication: re-tear rate ranged between 11.4 and 94%. Stiffness and hardware-related complications were observed in 74 and 12 patients, respectively. Eleven less common complications were also reported: 5 neurovascular, 3 septic, 2 thromboembolic events, and 1 anesthesiological complication. This review stated that arthroscopic RCR is a low-risk surgical procedure. Anatomical failure of the repair is the most common complication encountered in the literature.
Dipartimento Di Scienze Medico-Chirurgiche, Università Degli Studi Di Milano, IRCCS Policlinico San Donato, Milan, Italy.
P
P
Randelli
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P
Spennacchio
V
V
Ragone
P
P
Arrigoni
A
A
Casella
P
P
Cabitza
D001182:Arthroscopy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D004868:Equipment Failure; D020220:Facial Nerve Injuries / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007431:Intraoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012008:Recurrence; D012019:Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017006:Rotator Cuff / Q000601:surgery*; D000070636:Rotator Cuff Injuries; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D053441:Suture Anchors / Q000009:adverse effects; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology