Midterm outcomes of autologous bridging of rotator cuff tears with an autologous tendon patch (TEAR patch)

Abstract

Large and massive rotator cuff tears and tears after failed surgical repair are a challenging clinical problem with different treatment options. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the mid-term outcomes following rotator cuff repair (RCR) with autologous hamstring tendon graft bridging (TEAR patch) with the hypothesis, that outcomes would be reasonable and complication rates low. This is a retrospective case series study of patients who underwent open RCR using a TEAR patch from June, 2015 to March, 2019. evidence of cuff tear arthropathy, advanced fatty infiltration, moderate to severe arthropathy and workers compensation board or litigation involved. Clinical outcome measures: Constant score (CS), Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder and Hand score (DASH), Simple Shoulder Test (SST), Subjective Shoulder Value (SSV), range of motion (ROM) and manual muscle test (MMT) for forward elevation, abduction, external and internal rotation, patient satisfaction, willingness to do the operation again. Radiographic outcome measures: MRI, ultrasound and radiographs: Graft integrity and acromiohumeral distance (AHD). 44 patients were followed (89%) for ≥ 2 years (45 shoulders, mean age 60.3 years (48-76), mean follow-up 4.3 years (2-6)). All clinical outcome measures (CS, DASH, SST, SSV, ROM, and MMT) demonstrated significant improvement except active external and internal rotation. At 2 years follow-up, the mean patient satisfaction was high (12.2 out of 15 points) and 33 of 38 patients (73.3%) would do the operation again. A perfect graft integration was observed in n=30 (66.7%) a small gap in n=7 (15.6%), a retear in n=3 (7%) and a complete failure of the tendon patch in n=5 (11%) patients. Graft integrity was strongly correlated with the postoperative AHD (r=0.599 , p=0.001 ) and the gain in AHD (r=0.599 , p=0.001) but not with ROM or PROM's or patient satisfaction. Four patients required revision surgeries (three due to deep infection and one for poor function and pain). Mid-term clinical and radiographic outcomes following RCR with graft bridging using a TEAR patch were reasonable. The procedure resulted in improved shoulder function and a high level of patient satisfaction. The revision rate is acceptable in view of the specific patient group and treatment alternatives. The described technique of the TEAR patch can be a valuable alternative to existing methods and a novel autograft source for rotator cuff surgeries that need bridging of a tendon defect.