title: Summary of Meta-Analyses Dealing with Single-RowversusDouble-Row Repair Techniques for Rotator Cuff Tears.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Several meta-analyses of randomized clinical trials have been performed to analyze whether double-row (DR) rotator cuff repair (RCR) provides superior clinical outcomes and structural healing compared to single-row (SR) repair. The purpose of this study was to sum up the results of meta-analysis comparing SR and DR repair with respect on clinical outcomes and re-tear rates.
  
  
  METHODS
  A literature search was undertaken to identify all meta-analyses dealing with randomized controlled trials comparing clinical und structural outcomes after SRversusDR RCR.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eight meta-analyses met the eligibility criteria: two including Level I studies only, five including both Level I and Level II studies, and one including additional Level III studies. Four meta-analyses found no differences between SR and DR RCR for patient outcomes, whereas four favored DR RCR for tears greater than 3 cm. Two meta-analyses found no structural healing differences between SR and DR RCR, whereas six found DR repair to be superior for tears greater than 3 cm tears.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  No clinical differences are seen between single-row and double-row repair for small and medium rotator cuff tears after a short-term follow-up period with a higher re-tear rate following single-row repairs. There seems to be a trend to superior results with double-row repair in large to massive tear sizes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Trauma Surgery and Plastic Surgery, University of Leipzig, Germany.
authors.forename: U J
authors.initials: UJ
authors.lastname: Spiegl
authors.affiliation: Department of Trauma Surgery and Sports Traumatology, Medical University Innsbruck, Austria.
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Euler
authors.affiliation: The Steadman Clinic, Vail, Colorado, USA.
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Millett
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Trauma Surgery and Plastic Surgery, University of Leipzig, Germany.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hepp
keywords: Double-row repair; large tear size; meta-analysis; rotator cuff tear; single-row repair; small tear size; structural healing