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

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.