Large Tears Research Articles

Resorbable Bioinductive Collagen Implant Is Cost Effective in the Treatment of Rotator Cuff Tears

This study was conducted to investigate whether the use of resorbable bioinductive collagen implant (RBI) in addition to conventional rotator cuff repair (conventional RCR) is cost-effective when compared to conventional RCR alone, in the treatment of full-thickness rotator cuff tears (FT RCT). We developed a decision analytic model to compare the expected incremental cost and clinical consequences for a cohort of patients with FT RCT. The probabilities for healing or failure to heal (retear) were estimated from the published literature. Implant and healthcare costs were estimated from a payor's perspective in 2021 U.S. prices. An additional analysis included indirect cost estimations (e.g.,productivity losses). Sensitivity analyses explored the effect of tear size, as well as the impact of risk factors. The base case analysis demonstrated that resorbable bioinductive collagen implant+ conventional rotator cuff repair results in incremental costs of $232,468 and an additional 18 healed RCTs per 100 treated patients over 1 year. The estimated incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) is $13,061/healed RCT compared to conventional RCR alone. When return to work was included in the model, RBI+ conventional RCR was found to be cost saving. Cost-effectiveness improved with tear size with the largest benefit seen in massive tears compared to large tears, as well as patients at higher risk of retearing. This economic analysis demonstrated that RBI+ conventional RCR delivered improved healing rates at a marginal increase in costs when compared to conventional RCR alone and is, therefore, cost-effective in this patient population. Considering indirect costs, RBI+ conventional RCR resulted in lower costs compared to conventional RCR alone and is, therefore, deemed to be cost saving. Level IV, economic analysis.

VATS VERSUS LAPAROSCOPY TRAUMATIC DIAPHRAGMATIC INJURY REPAIR

Introduction:Diaphragmatic injury is usually missed in case of trauma patient, clinical picture is usually masked by other abdominal or thoracic injuries. CXR (chest X ray), abdominal ultrasound have a high rate of missing. High index of suspicion is required to diagnose diaphragmatic injury. Discussion:Comparison between 20 cases of traumatic diaphragmatic injury. Surgery is the only treatment. Different approaches are used, taking advantage of the wide spread practice of minimal invasive surgeryVATS (Video assisted thoracoscopic surgey) and laparoscopy. Overlooked injuries are usually on the right side and after blunt trauma in these cases open surgery is favoured.Prolene stitch repair (primary repair) was the main modality of repair, mesh repair was used in larger tears with poor quality tissues .Quality of life improves remarkably after repair with most patients discharged from hospital within few days. Conclusion:VATS and Laparoscopy show efficiency in both diagnosis and treatment of diaphragmatic injuries. Conversion to open surgery may be needed in case of severe visceral injuries.Combined approach needs good communication between thoracic and general surgeonsOutcome is usually favourable with competent long term repair. Uunfavourable outcome is associated with multiple visceral organ injury and critical pre operative status.

“Triple Package” Modified SpeedBridge Rotator Cuff Repair Technique

Treatment of full-thickness rotator cuff repairs vary in surgical technique depending on many factors including tear geometry, delamination of soft tissue, tissue quality, and rotator cuff retraction. The described technique presents a reproducible method of addressing tear patterns where the tear may be larger laterally, but the medial footprint exposure is small. This can be addressed with a single medial anchor combined with a knotless lateral-row technique to provide compression for small tears or two medial row anchors for moderate to large tears. In this modification of the standard knotless double row (SpeedBridge) technique, 2 medial row anchors are used, with 1 augmented with additional fiber tape and an additional lateral row anchor to create a triangular repair construct, increasing the size and stability of the footprint of the lateral row.

Large distal tear of aortic dissection

BACKGROUND: The traditional treatment for aortic dissections (ADs) is a proximal repair of AD, but the long-term prognosis of residual distal dissection is unsatisfactory. The distal aortic intimal tear of distal aortic segmental enlargement (DASE) is evaluated via its size, with risk assessment, and assessed its risk, which will provide clinicians with diagnosis and treatment direction. METHODS: We analyzed 419 ADs patients who underwent radiographic examination of the aorta between September 1999 and May 2014. We recorded the area of the aortic intimal tear and divided it into two groups (75 patients in DASE group and 344 patients in non-DASE group). Logistics regression analysis or natural logarithm transformation was used to explore the potential risk of remaining distal tears to DASE, while the Logistic multiple regress equations were used to find out the independent risk factors. RESULTS: The postoperative large tear was defined as short diameter ≥5.0 mm. The independent risk factors of DASE are as follows: Short diameter of postoperative tears (odds ratios [ORs], 1.10;95% confidence interval [CI], 1.02–1.19; P < 0.0120); short diameter of the first tear after operation (OR, 1.12; 95% CI, 1.00–1.26; P < 0.0580) and the existence of large tears (OR, 1.13; 95% CI, 1.01–1.26; P < 0.0298). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that the size of the remaining tears and the existence of large tears are the key risk factors for patients with DASE. Patients with large remaining tears should be supervised regularly and treated timely.

Partial Transection of the External Ear Caused by a Mask Worn for COVID-19 Protection

Introduction. During the COVID-19 pandemic surgical mask-wearing was widely adopted as a means of preventing infections, but there have been several reports of mask-induced skin problems. In this report, we describe a case in which surgery was required for a mask-induced ear injury. Case Report. An otherwise healthy 63-year-old male presented to the plastic surgery department with an auricle injury. He had been using a mask that was too small for his face for more than 1 month; the tight ear loops caused the upper part of his left auricle to begin to dissect, resulting in a large tear. More than a third of the left upper auricle was torn, and the wound surface was epithelialized. The patient had no history of skin disease or psychiatric disorder but was engaged in a job that required wearing a helmet constantly. Surgery was performed to refresh the epithelialized wound surface and suture it, and the patient healed without complication. Conclusion. While mask-wearing mandates and recommendations have considerably eased since the height of the pandemic, the current authors’ experience has brought to light problems related to mask usage. Thus, efforts should be made to investigate the causes of these problems and provide appropriate advice.

Anatomic Shoulder Arthroplasty in the Setting of Concurrent or Prior Rotator Cuff Repair: A Systematic Review.

Reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) is the gold standard in management of osteoarthritis (OA) in the setting of rotator cuff pathology. However, there are significant complications associated with the procedure. An alternative option in the setting of a deficient rotator cuff may be to perform a repair prior to or concurrently with an anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty (aTSA). A systematic review was performed utilizing Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines to evaluate outcomes in aTSA with concomitant or prior rotator cuff repair (RCR). Key outcomes were complication rate and subjective outcome scores. Seven studies were included in the review. One study found a higher rate of total adverse events in the prior repair group (17% vs 7%, P = .01) while others found no significant difference. There was a nonstatistically significant increase in revision rates among patients with larger tears at time of repair. Prior repair groups were associated with a higher rate of re-tear in one study (13% vs 1%, P = .014). Concomitant repair was associated with a higher rate of loosening. In patients with prior repair, there was no statistical difference in strength, range of motion (ROM), simple shoulder test (SST), Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation (SANE), American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Standardized Shoulder Assessment Form (ASES), and visual analogue scale (VAS). In patients with concurrent repair, one study demonstrated a less drastic improvement in Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) in "moderate" repairs as opposed to "good" repairs. Anatomic TSA is an appropriate treatment for glenohumeral OA in patients with a prior successful RCR and in younger patients with concurrent repair of small or medium tears. Level III.

Long Head Biceps Tendon as An Alternative Graft for Shoulder Superior Capsular Reconstruction: a Case Report

Large and massive rotator cuff tears can be irreparable and pose significant treatment challenge. Superior capsular reconstruction has been reported as an option to treat such injury, and may effectively maintain superior stability and prevent progression into rotator cuff arthropathy. Several authors had introduced long head of biceps tendon as a graft alternative to original tensor fascia latae or higher-cost dermal allograft. We reported a post-operative significant improvement in clinical range of motion and radiograph acromiohumeral distance in a 64 year old male with massive rotator cuff tear treated with superior capsular reconstruction using long head of biceps tendon, in combination with partial repair of rotator cuff. We believe that long head biceps of tendon may serves as a viable and effective graft option for superior shoulder reconstruction.

A CASE SERIES OF 5 RARE ABDOMINAL EMERGENCIES

Gastrointestinal perforation is a common cause of acute abdomen due to peritonitis. The etiology and pathophysiology of gastrointestinal perforations is varied and can range from a small prepyloric perforation that is relatively clean to transection of small or large bowel with spillage of contents in peritoneum with gross contamination. Some of these are more common than others. Here we present 6 cases of rare perforations presenting to us in the casualty, their management and postoperative course in hospital. Methods: We will be assessing the cases of patients, their history, clinical presentation, radiological imaging who presented with acute abdomen secondary to bowel perforation and were intraoperatively diagnosed to have a rare pathology and assess the management and postoperative outcomes. Results: In this case series, 5 rare cases of GI perforations are highlighted including rare cases of posterior gastric perforation, DJ transection, jejunal transection, jejunal perforation, large mesenteric tear and sigmoid colon perforation. All these cases required a different approach in managing intraoperatively. Conclusion: Gastrointestinal perforation is a common cause of acute abdomen and requires emergency surgical intervention. CT imaging has become a fundamental part of the preoperative evaluation and can determine site and cause of perforation.Gastrointestinal tract perforations can occur due to various causes, and most of these perforations are emergency conditions that require early recognition and timely surgical treatment the mainstay of treatment for bowel perforation is surgery. Atypical presentation of perforation can be a challenge to surgeons andshould be prepared to deal with it.

Tracheostomy-related Tracheal Tears in Pediatrics.

Tracheostomy-related tracheal tear is a serious complication that may follow surgical or percutaneous tracheostomy. Pediatric populations carry a higher risk because of anatomical differences. The aim of this article is to review this condition and to help in its diagnosis and management with the assistance of clinical and radiological findings. An English literature review was done using the terms pediatric, tracheostomy, tracheal tear and tracheostomy tube. Two cases reported in the literature met the criteria to be included in the review. Tracheostomy-related tracheal tear needs immediate diagnosis as it may lead to life-threatening outcomes, such as pneumothorax, respiratory distress, extensive subcutaneous emphysema and pneumomediastinum. Symptoms and complications of the tear may occur intraoperatively or postoperatively. Gold standard methods for diagnosis include flexible or rigid tracheobronchoscopy, which helps in determining the management plan. The treatment choices for iatrogenic tracheal tears depend on the tear site, size, and extension of the tear and patient's hemodynamic status. Conservative management is sufficient for stable patients with small tears, whereas surgical management is essential for unstable patients and those with large or complicated tears. Tracheostomy-related tracheal tear is a serious rare complication. The pediatric age group carries a higher risk of the condition and its management, either conservative or surgical, depends on airway endoscopy findings and patient's hemodynamic status.

Rotator Cuff Repair Augmented With Interpositional Nanofiber Scaffold

Despite advances in arthroscopic rotator cuff repair, failure rates up to 94% have been reported in the literature for large tears, with rates as high as 36% for small and medium tears. One strategy for improving outcomes is augmentation with a patch, which has typically been incorporated onto the bursal portion of the repaired tendon and been made up of either dermal or bovine collagen tissue. The Rotium wick (Atreon Orthopedics, Columbus, OH)—an interpositional augmentation—is a nanofiber scaffold that is meant to be sandwiched between the rotator cuff and humerus at the bone-tendon interface and is currently the only implant approved by the US Food and Drug Administration to be used in this manner. The scaffold works to improve the cellular organization of the basement membrane during tendon healing at the enthesis and, in a recent sheep study, has been shown to better replicate the natural Sharpey-like fibers similar to the native tendon and increase the strength of the repair more rapidly. The purpose of this Technical Note is to describe the means for use of an interpositional nanofiber scaffold for arthroscopic rotator cuff repair.

Accuracy of the rotator cuff reparability score.

The reparability of large or massive rotator cuff tears is difficult to determine pre-operatively. We previously identified age ≥ 65 years, acromiohumeral interval ≤ 6 mm, and anteroposterior tear size ≥ 22 mm as risk factors for rotator cuff repair failure. We therefore developed a rotator cuff reparability score where each of the above risk factors is assigned a score of one point. To determine the accuracy of a rotator cuff reparability score. This was a retrospective cohort study of recruited patients with large or massive rotator cuff tears treated at our institution between January 2013 and December 2019. Exclusion criteria were revision surgery and patients with contraindications for surgery. All patients underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair and were categorized into either complete or partial rotator cuff repair. Rotator cuff reparability scores were calculated for each patient. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value, and positive and negative likelihood ratio were assessed. A receiver operating characteristic curve was plotted to determine the optimal cut-off rotator cuff reparability score. Eighty patients (mean age, 61 years; range, 25-84 years; 41 females and 39 males) were recruited. Intra- and inter-observer reliabilities were good to excellent. The number of patients with 0, 1, 2, and 3 risk factors for rotator cuff repair failure were 24, 33, 17, and 6, respectively. Complete repair was performed in all patients without risk factors. Two of the 33 patients with one risk factor and seven of the 17 patients with two risk factors underwent partial repair. One of the six patients with three risk factors underwent complete repair. The area under the curve was 0.894. The optimal cut-off score was two points with a sensitivity of 85.71% and a specificity of 83.33%. A rotator cuff reparability score of two was determined to be the optimal cut-off score for predicting the reparability of large or massive rotator cuff tears.

Arthroscopic revision cuff repair: do tendons have a second chance to heal?

Few studies have investigated postoperative tendon integrity after reoperation for failed rotator cuff repair. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the anatomic and clinical outcomes of arthroscopic revision rotator cuff repair (AR-RCR) and identify the risk factors related to re-retear. Sixty-nine consecutive patients (mean age, 55 years) with primary failed open (38%) or arthroscopic (62%) cuff repairs underwent AR-RCR and were reviewed regarding clinical examination findings and imaging studies. Patients with massive cuff tears and upward humeral migration (acromiohumeral distance < 6 mm) or glenohumeral osteoarthritis were excluded. Revision repair was performed by a single, experienced shoulder surgeon. Complete footprint coverage was achieved in all cases using a single-row (70%), double-row (19%), or side-to-side (11%) technique. The primary outcome measure was tendon healing assessed with magnetic resonance imaging (57 cases) or computed tomography arthrogram (12 cases) performed at minimum 1-year follow-up. Secondary outcome measures included functional outcome scores, subjective results, and complications. The mean follow-up period was 43 months (range, 12-136 months). The cuff tendons did not heal to the tuberosity in 36% of the shoulders (25 of 69) following revision cuff surgery. Absence of tendon healing was associated with poorer shoulder function (average Constant score, 69±20 vs. 54±18; P=.003) and a decreased Subjective Shoulder Value (72% vs. 54%, P=.002). Factors that were negatively associated with tendon healing were age ≥ 55 years (odds ratio [OR], 4.5 [95% confidence interval, 1.6-12.5]; P=.02), tendon retractionof stage 2 or higher (OR, 4.4 [95% confidence interval, 1.4-14.3]; P=.01), and fatty infiltration index > 2 (OR, 10.2; P<.0001). No differences in retear rates were found between single-row and double-row cases. In 36 shoulders, tissue samples were harvested and submitted for bacteriologic culture analysis; 13 (36%) showed positive findings for infection (Cutibacterium acnesin 12 of 13) and associated antibiotic treatment was given. Overall, 25% of patients had unsatisfactory clinical results and 22% were disappointed or dissatisfied. At last follow-up, 4 patients (5.7%) underwent reoperations, with a second AR-RCR in 1 and conversion to reverse shoulder arthroplasty in 3. Despite careful patient selection and intraoperative complete footprint coverage, in this study the tendons did not heal to bone in 36% of cases after revision cuff surgery. The absence of tendon healing is associated with poorer clinical and subjective results. Patients aged ≥ 55 years and patients with larger tears (stage 2 or higher) and/or muscle fatty infiltration (fatty infiltration index > 2) have significantly lower rates of healing. Surgeons should be aware that structurally failed cuff repair may also be associated with low-grade infection.

Novel therapy using a fish scale collagen scaffold for rotator cuff healing in rat models.

Large and massive rotator cuff tears are challenging for surgeons because of postoperative complications such as repaired site retears. Recently, collagen extracted from fish scales has gained more attention because fish byproducts are considered a safer collagen source than other animal-derived scaffolds. This study aimed to evaluate the biological efficacy of tilapia scale-derived collagen scaffolds for rotator cuff repair in rat models. The infraspinatus tendon was resected from the greater tuberosity of Sprague-Dawley rats. In the control group, the tendon edge was sutured directly to the humeral head. In the augmentation group, the repaired site was augmented with a tilapia scale-derived collagen scaffold. Histologic examinations were performed at 2 and 4weeks postoperatively via safranin O and immunofluorescence staining (isolectin B4 and type II collagen) in the bone-tendon junction. For mechanical analysis, the ultimate failure load of the tendon-humeral head complex was evaluated at 6weeks postoperatively. During safranin O staining, the repaired enthesis demonstrated greater proteoglycan staining in the augmentation group than in the control group at 4weeks postoperatively. Compared to controls, the augmentation group had significantly higher vascular staining with isolectin B4 at 2 and 4weeks postoperatively, type II collagen expression at 4weeks postoperatively, and ultimate failure load at 6weeks postoperatively. Augmentation therapy using tilapia scale-derived type I collagen scaffolds promoted angiogenesis and fibrocartilage regeneration at the enthesis and provided higher mechanical strength than controls.

Arthroscopic Double-Row Repair of Posterosuperior Rotator Cuff Tears: Suture Bridge Technique Reinforced With Modified Mason–Allen and Simple Sutures

Rotator cuff (RC) tears represent one of the most common causes of pain and dysfunction of the shoulder. Numerous RC repair techniques have been reported. In this Technical Note, we introduce an arthroscopic double-row repair technique that combines a suture bridge construct with modified Mason–Allen and simple suture fixation to optimize load-sharing and compression of the RC to the footprint. The described technique is ideal for crescent-shaped and large reparable U-shaped posterosuperior RC tears.

Man versus machine: intraoperative versus elastography assessment of the quality of the rotator cuff

Introduction: The most common complication of arthroscopic rotator cuff repair is retear, and retear or failure to heal is more common in larger tears in older patients. We hypothesised that the quality of the torn tendon is important in protecting against retear. Surgeons have traditionally assessed the quality of repaired tissue with a four-point Likert scale. Shear Wave Elastography Ultrasound (SWEUS) is a recent technological advancement which can quantify soft tissue stiffness. The aim of this study was to determine how closely a surgeon’s intraoperative rankings of tissue quality correlate to postoperative supraspinatus tendon stiffness as measured by SWEUS.

Open treatment options in massive rotator cuff tears associated with acromion non-union

We evaluated the available English literature for cases of acromion non-union and rotator cuff tear, looking at surgical methods of treatment as well as at functional results. As expected, the literature regarding rotator cuff pathology was found to be abundant, and a good number of articles were found regarding acromion non-union, but articles concerning the association of the two were scarce. Treatment recommendations varied, and were made on a case-to-case fashion. The accepted treatment methods for acromion non-union consist of non-surgical management, open or arthroscopic fragment removal, open or arthroscopic reduction and fixation (bone grafting may be used), while the rotator cuff witll be reinserted with anchors. In this rare occurence, a large rotator cuff tear with retracted tendons combined with an acromion non-union are usually repaired by an open technique in an one-stage surgery, with good results. In order to chose the right treatment option scapular kinematics must be taken into consideration especially when acromial fractures are associated with rotator cuff tears.

Dermal Allograft Augmentation for Rotator Cuff Tears

Large and massive rotator cuff tears continue to be challenging for shoulder surgeons. Given the high percentage of retears after repair of these tears, several surgical technical advancements have been proposed. The use of grafts (xenograft, synthetic, and allograft) as an augmentation of the repair has been growing over the last several years in an attempt to improve structural integrity and postoperative outcomes. Patch augmentation with dermal allografts is the most commonly used, showing promising biomechanical, structural, and functional outcomes. Several factors have been associated with healing outcomes, including age, tear size, and fatty degeneration. The rotator cuff healing index can be used to assess for patients with Hamada grades 1 and 2 with elevated retear risk and potential indications for repair with graft augmentation. A score of 7 points represents a reasonable threshold for the addition of a dermal allograft due to a significant reduction in healing rates when comparing patients with a score of 6 points (66%) to 7 points (only 38%) without augmentation of the repair. Biomechanical studies have demonstrated a greater maximum failure load compared with standard repair. The healing rates of rotator cuff repairs using scaffolds range between 60% and 85%, compared with 40% with nonaugmented repairs. Moreover, the use of repair augmentation has been associated with improved range of motion and functional scores compared with nonaugmented repairs, with allografts showing the best visual analog scale pain score and postoperative external rotation results. Given these favorable healing rates, functional outcomes, and low complication rates, augmenting rotator cuff repairs with a dermal allograft may be a suitable option in active patients with a diminished chance of postoperative healing.

All-Inside Meniscal Repair: A Historical View

Background: All-inside meniscal repair first became popularized in the early 2000s. Since that time, there has been a wide variety of all-inside implants on the market with rapid changes and developments in recent years. Indications: Small, peripheral, longitudinal tears are best suited for all-inside repair, but this technique may even be used for large bucket handle tears especially when hybridized with an inside-out repair. Technique Description: A percutaneous release of the medial collateral ligament (MCL) with an 18-g spinal needle is frequently performed when working in the medial compartment to improve visualization and decrease risk of iatrogenic chondral injury. Close familiarity with the characteristics of the chosen all-inside device including device angle, modifiability of device angle, modifiability of needle depth, deployment method, and tensioning technique is important for obtaining reproducible results. Typically, obtaining a vertical mattress stitch configuration is optimal as it captures more circumferential collagen fibers in the repair. Results: Factors to consider when selecting an all-inside meniscal repair device include the ergonomics of the device, implant cost, availability, rigid versus suture-based anchor, core needle diameter, device flexibility, and percent of misfires. Discussion: Complications from use of all-inside meniscus repair devices include device failure, soft tissue entrapment, cyst formation, and injury to the popliteal artery. Outcomes, however, with current devices are good and comparable to inside-out meniscus repair with about a 90% return to sports rate at 12 months postoperatively. The author(s) attests that consent has been obtained from any patient(s) appearing in this publication. If the individual may be identifiable, the author(s) has included a statement of release or other written form of approval from the patient(s) with this submission for publication.

Two Birds, One Stone: Awake Extracorporeal Life Support.

Case A 55 year old female, no previous medical history, underwent out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) was initiated, with return of spontaneous circulation after 30’ of conventional resuscitation efforts. At first hospital arrival coronary angiography and successful percutaneous transluminal angioplasty were performed to treat right coronary artery stenosis. Incidentally, lung computed tomography (CT) revealed signs of aspiration pneumonia (Figure 1). Moreover, as a result of improper out-of-hospital endotracheal tube (ETT) positioning (ID 7.5/OD 10.7 mm) during ACLS, the patient suffered iatrogenic airway injury, as confirmed by bronchoscopy (12 x 19 mm respectively sagittal and longitudinal axis, Figures 1 and 2).Figure 1.: Tracheal injury (white arrow) and aspiration pneumonia at CT scan performed at hospital admission: distal end of the endotracheal tube in the main right bronchus (white arrow); retrocarinal pneumomediastinum (black arrow); evidence of basal consolidation in the left lung. CT, computed tomography.Figure 2.: Evolution of tracheal injury (white arrows) at fiberoptic bronchoscopy. A: day 1 large tear in the pars membranacea (posterior wall) of the trachea, extended to the emergence of the main right bronchus (white arrow), with hyperemic peripheral area; (B) day 7: partial re-epithelialization of the posterior wall, and decreased mucosal hyperemia; (C) day 24 evidence of resolution of the injury, with a residual linear scar. ECMO, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation; LMB, left main bronchus; RMB, right main bronchus.Pneumonia worsened rapidly to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) over subsequent days, and the presence of tracheal injury complicated mechanical ventilation management, so femoro-femoral veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (V-V ECMO) was initiated in referring hospital (details in online supplement, Supplemental Digital Content 1, https://links.lww.com/ASAIO/A876). After cannulation the patient was transferred to referral center. For the first 2 days deep sedation and neuromuscular blockade were deemed necessary to provide lung protective ventilation (settings detailed in online supplement, Supplemental Digital Content 1, https://links.lww.com/ASAIO/A876). Due to the location of the distal end of the ETT cuff tube, the intracuff pressure was strictly monitored and maintained at 20 mm Hg. On minimal ECMO support gas exchange rapidly improved. To improve tracheal tear healing the patient was extubated on third day of ECMO, and high flow nasal oxygen (HFNO) initiated. After 8 days successful weaning trial was attempted, and decannulation performed. Follow up CTs demonstrated progressive resolution of lung disease and airway injury, with reabsorption of pneumodediastinum. Since ECMO weaning the patient remained eupneic; she was discharged home with almost complete lung recovery and intact tracheal wall (evolution of injury and clinical course are depicted in supplementary figures 1 and 2, Supplemental Digital Content 1, https://links.lww.com/ASAIO/A876). Full neurologic recovery was achieved, with no signs of physical impairment.

Surgical Repair and Augmentation of a Large Type-2 Re-tear of the Rotator Cuff with a Novel Biocomposite Scaffold: A Case Report

Case A 55-year-old female presented with pain and weakness in her right shoulder after a new traumatic event occurred. She had undergone a rotator cuff repair to this right shoulder 4 months earlier with dermal strip augmentation secondary to poor tissue quality at the time of index surgery. For historical context, her contralateral shoulder had undergone a previous primary rotator cuff repair with xenograft, which failed, and was ultimately revised to a full thickness repair 2 years prior. A repeat MRI demonstrated a recurrent large type-II rotator cuff tear with grade 3 Goutallier fatty infiltration. A novel biocomposite scaffold (BioBrace™) was used to augment a revision double row bridge repair with margin convergence. MRI at three and eight months after surgery suggested functional remodeling and growth of new tissue. At 10 months, arthroscopy was performed to evaluate bicipital pain and arthroscopic images demonstrated full incorporation of the biocomposite scaffold within the underlying native tendon and an intact repair. The source of bicipital pain was unrelated to the implant and a biceps tenodesis was performed to resolve the pain. Clinical outcomes were assessed preoperatively and at 1 year postoperatively using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) Shoulder Score, and Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation (SANE). Conclusion The use of a novel biocomposite scaffold augmentation for revision rotator cuff repair demonstrated evidence of healing, incorporation, and remodeling at 10 months post-procedure. VAS, ASES, and SANE pre- and post-operative outcome scores were analyzed at 1 year demonstrating significant improvement across all metrics. This case report suggests the use of a novel biocomposite rotator cuff augment can provide a via option for revision rotator cuff repair.