Satisfaction, function and repair integrity after arthroscopic versus mini-open rotator cuff repair.
OBJECTIVE
Advances in arthroscopic techniques for rotator cuff repair have made the mini-open approach less popular. However, the mini-open approach remains an important technique for repair for many surgeons. The aims of this study were to compare the integrity of the repair, the function of the shoulder and satisfaction post-operatively using these two techniques in patients aged > 50 years.


METHODS
We identified 22 patients treated with mini-open and 128 patients treated with arthroscopic rotator cuff repair of July 2007 and June 2011. The mean follow-up was two years (1 to 5). Outcome was assessed using the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) and Simple Shoulder Test (SST) scores, and satisfaction. The integrity of the repair was assessed using ultrasonography. A power analysis ensured sufficient enrolment.


RESULTS
There was no statistically significant difference between the age, function, satisfaction, or pain scores (p > 0.05) of the two groups. The integrity of the repair and the mean SST scores were significantly better in the mini-open group (91% of mini-open repairs were intact versus 60% of arthroscopic repairs, p = 0.023; mean SST score 10.9 (standard deviation (sd) 1.3) in the mini-open group; 8.9 (sd 3.5) in arthroscopic group; p = 0.003). The ASES scores were also higher in the mini-open group (mean ASES score 91.0 (sd 10.5) in mini-open group; mean 82.70 (sd 19.8) in the arthroscopic group; p = 0.048).


CONCLUSIONS
The integrity of the repair and function of the shoulder were better after a mini-open repair than after arthroscopic repair of a rotator cuff tear in these patients. The functional difference did not translate into a difference in satisfaction. Mini-open rotator cuff repair remains a useful technique despite advances in arthroscopy. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2017;99-B:245-9.
Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
L A Fink
LA
Barnes
Penn State University Medical Center, Hershey, PA, USA.
H M
HM
Kim
Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.
J-M
JM
Caldwell
New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
J
J
Buza
Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.
C S
CS
Ahmad
Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.
L U
LU
Bigliani
Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.
W N
WN
Levine
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001182:Arthroscopy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D020127:Recovery of Function; D017006:Rotator Cuff / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D000070636:Rotator Cuff Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D014945:Wound Healing
Arthroscopy; Mini-open; Rotator cuff integrity; Rotator cuff repair; Shoulder function