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Background Massive irreparable rotator cuff tears (RCT) may cause severe functional impairment and pain as a result of loss of superior humeral stability. Reconstruction of the superior capsule (SCR) has been reported to restore glenohumeral stability and function. Objective The purpose of this study was to investigate short-term functional and radiological outcome after arthroscopic SCR with a human dermal allograft for irreparable RCT. Methods In total, 21 patients (mean age 65.9 years, 50–77), who underwent arthroscopic SCR were prospectively enrolled in the present study. Magnetic resonance images (MRI) were obtained before and 12 months after surgery to evaluate graft survival. Functional and subjective outcome including the Constant score (CS), the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score (ASES), and the Simple Shoulder Test (SST) was evaluated preoperatively as well as 3–6 and 12 months postoperatively and was compared between patients with and without preoperative pseudoparalysis. Complications were recorded. Results The MRI evaluation revealed intact grafts in 71.4% of patients 1 year postoperatively; these patients showed significant improvements from baseline to follow-up time points regarding the total CS and its subgroups pain, activity of living, range of motion, strength, ASES, and SST (p < 0.01). Pseudoparalysis was present in 57.1% of cases preoperatively, but was reversed in 100% of cases with intact graft at the 1‑year follow-up. The outcome was similar between groups at final follow-up. Complications occurred in 29% (one infection, five graft failures) of patients and were indications for treatment with reverse shoulder arthroplasty. Conclusion Arthroscopic SCR with a human dermal allograft in patients with irreparable RCT restored shoulder function and relieved pain in patients without and with preoperative pseudoparalysis.

Purpose The aim of this review was to compare clinical and radiological outcome of acromio-clavicular joint reconstruction with allografts versus autografts. Methods The PubMed, MEDLINE, The Cochrane Library and WEB OF SCIENCE databases were searched in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines until February 2020 using the terms: 'coracoclavicular' OR 'coraco-clavicular' OR 'acromioclavicular' OR 'acromio-clavicular joint', AND 'reconstruction'. All studies reporting on clinical and radiological outcome as well as complications after ACJ reconstruction using allo-and/or autografts were included. Results A total of 29 articles, including 2 prospective and 27 retrospective studies, involving 622 patients, reconstructed with either allo-(n = 360) or auto-grafts (n = 262), for acromio-clavicular joint instability were identiied and included in this review. The majority of studies had low sample sizes (66.7% below n = 20), were retrospective (93.3%), with short-term follow-ups (average 26.2 ± 12.6 months; range 6-186). The study with the largest sample size (n = 128) did not report clinical outcome. A comparison between allo-and auto-graft showed no signiicant diferences regarding age, gender, and follow-up times. Clinical outcome was comparable in both groups, loss of reduction (LOR) and complication rates were higher in the allograft group. Overall a reduction of LOR was shown if additional horizontal stabilization was performed. Also a higher LOR and revision rate was documented in allografts without suture or suture-tape augmentation. The use of more clavicular drill-holes correlated with a higher frequency of fracture. Conclusions A systematic review of the available peer-reviewed literature addressing allograft and autograft reconstruction of unstable coracoclavicular ligaments shows that the published studies are generally of low quality with low levels of evidence. The published literature shows no signiicant diference in clinical outcomes between the use of autografts or allografts in ACJ reconstruction surgery. Surgical techniques utilizing additional horizontal stabilization may contribute to lower rates of LOR. In cases where allograft tissue is used for ACJ reconstruction the use of suture/tape augmentation may reduce LOR rates as well as revision rates. Level of evidence III.

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