Management of Massive Rotator Cuff Tears in Active Patients with Minimal Glenohumeral Arthritis: A Prospective Observational Study with Clinical and Radiographic Analyses of Reconstruction using Dermal Tissue Matrix Xenograft

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objectives To evaluate the clinical and radiographic outcomes of patients undergoing interposition reconstruction of massive, otherwise irreparable rotator cuff tears through a mini-open approach with the use of a porcine dermal tissue matrix. Materials and methods We performed a prospective observational study of 26 patients (27 shoulders) who underwent reconstruction of massive rotator cuff tears using dermal tissue matrix xenograft. Pain level (scale 0-10, 10 = severe pain), active range of motion, and supraspinatus and external rotation strength were assessed. Additional outcome measures included modified American shoulder and elbow score (MASES) and short form-12 (SF-12) score. Clinical and radiographic analyses were performed at an average 32 months follow-up period (minimum 2-year follow-up). Ultrasound imaging (static and dynamic) of the operative shoulder was performed at final followup to assess the integrity of the reconstruction. Results Mean patient age was 60. Mean pain level decreased from 5.1 to 0.4 (p = 0.002). Mean active forward flexion, abduction, and external rotation motion improved from 138.8 to 167.3 (p = 0.024), 117.9 to 149.3 (p = 0.001) and 57.7 to 64.7° (p = 0.31), respectively. Supraspinatus and external rotation strength improved from 7.2 to 9.4 (p = 0.001) and 7.4 to 9.5 (p = 0.001), respectively. Mean MASES improved from 62.7 to 91.8 (p = 0.0007) and mean SF-12 scores improved from 48.4 to 56.6 (p = 0.044). Twenty-one patients (twenty-two shoulders) returned for a dynamic and static ultrasound of the operative shoulder at a minimum 2-year follow-up. Sixteen (73%) demonstrated a fully intact tendon/graft reconstruction. Five (22%) patients had partially intact reconstructions, and one (5%) had a complete tear at the graft-bone interface due to suture anchor pullout as a result of a fall. There were no cases of infection or tissue rejection. Conclusion We present a reproducible surgical technique for the management of massive irreparable rotator cuff tears. In our series, patients demonstrated a significant improvement in both subjective and objective clinical outcomes. Radiographic analysis demonstrated that the majority of patients had a fully intact reconstruction at a minimum 2-year follow-up. Gupta AK, Toth AP. Management of Massive Rotator Cuff Tears in Active Patients with Minimal Glenohumeral Arthritis: A Prospective Observational Study with Clinical and Radiographic Analyses of Reconstruction using Dermal Tissue Matrix Xenograft. The Duke Orthop J 2013;3(1):80-87.