The rotator cuff tear repair with a new arthroscopic transosseous system: the Sharc-FT(®)

Single-row versus transosseous technique in the arthroscopic treatment of rotator cuff tears: a meta-analysis

PURPOSE

This study aims to compare single-row suture-anchors (SA) versus transosseous arthroscopic (TO) technique in the treatment of patients with rotator cuff tears in terms of clinical structural outcomes at atleast 24 months of follow-up.

METHODS

The systematic review was performed according to "PRISMA guidelines" (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses), in order to identify all the studies comparing clinical, both subjective and objective, outcomes with 24 months follow-up minimum in patients undergoing arthroscopic RC repair with the SR and TO technique. OVID-MEDLINE®, Cochrane, SCOPUS and PubMed were searched from January 2010 to October 2022 to identify relevant studies, using the following key words, that were combined together to achieve maximum search strategy sensitivity: "Rotator cuff tear" OR "repair" OR "shoulder" OR "reconstruction" OR "suture" OR "arthroscopic" OR "single-row" OR "transosseous".

RESULTS

Six papers were finally analyzed in this meta-analysis. The weighted mean difference on Constant scores and for ASES for studies considering suture-anchors (SA) group showed good outcomes. The weighted mean difference of Constant scores and of ASES for TO (transosseous) group showed good outcomes. The weighted mean difference of CONSTANT for TO versus SA groups showed no differences in the outcomes of SA and TO techniques for the repair of Rotator Cuff Tears at minimum 24 months follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

The Arthroscopic transosseous rotator cuff repair technique and SA (suture-anchor) technique both lead to significant short-term improvement and satisfactory subjective outcome scores with low complication/failure rates. No differences were found in the final outcome between the two techniques.

Surgical Technique of Arthroscopic Transosseous Implant-Less Rotator Cuff Repair Using "Arthrocuff" System

Rotator cuff tears remain one of the most common causes of shoulder pain and disability. Although many repair techniques like single-row, double-row, and transosseous equivalent repair have become popular, transosseous repair still remains the gold standard. Arthroscopic transosseous repair is a safe and affordable alternative to suture anchors. Considering this fact, a reusable instrumentation "ArthroCuff^", was developed by SpowerN Medical Equipment (Chennai, India) in collaboration with the National Hub for Healthcare Device Development, India. Arthrocuff system not only aids a robust transosseous rotator cuff repair, but it is also cost-effective. We present the video technique of Arthrocuff for rotator cuff repair.

Clinical and functional outcomes of a novel transosseous device to treat rotator cuff tears: A minimum 2-year follow-up

PURPOSE

Despite the improvements in the repair equipment techniques of rotator cuff, a gold standard method has not been defined yet and transosseous fixation through deltoid-splitting (mini-open) approach is still regarded as a good option. The primary purpose of this study is to present satisfactory clinical and functional outcomes with a novel transosseous device in full-thickness rotator cuff tear through deltoid-splitting.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This retrospective study was performed on 70 consecutive patients who underwent surgery by a single surgeon from June 2014 to June 2016 for a full-thickness rotator cuff tear and was managed with a novel transosseous device. Total number of patients, mean age, percentage of male and female patients, mean duration of follow-up, percentage of involvement of the dominant extremity, affected shoulder, and tear size were recorded. Functional and clinical outcomes were assessed baseline and postoperatively at 3 and 6 months and final follow-up using Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (Q-DASH) and Constant-Murley scores.

RESULTS

A total of 70 (49 (70%) female, 21 (30%) male) patients whose mean age was 58.66 ± 9.19 (38-77) years were included. The mean surgery time was 35.33 ± 5.34 (28-55) min. The mean follow-up time was 28.31 ± 3.03 (24-36) months. According to the DeOrio and Cofield classification, 15 (21.43%) tears were small, 33 (47.14%) medium, 16 (22.86%) large, and 6 (8.57%) massive. By the final follow-up, the mean Constant-Murley score had significantly improved from 27.67 ± 7.46 (13-41) to 81.25 ± 3.77 (74-87; p = 0.0001) and the Q-DASH score had decreased from 82.34 ± 10.37 (65.91-100) to 10.28 ± 6.88 (0-23.45; p = 0.0001). There were no significant differences in the Constant-Murley or Q-DASH score at baseline-final follow-up between the small, medium, large, and massive tear groups (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Treatment of full-thickness rotator cuff tear using this novel transosseous device significantly improved functional and clinical scores. However, further long-term prospective randomized multicenter trials involving comparative studies are necessary to confirm these findings.

Two rotator cuff tear repair techniques for sovraspinatus tendon tear: transosseous sharc-ft vs single row repair

Background:

Despite rotator cuff repair techniques have developed significantly in last decade, pushed by the progress in technology and materials, the treatment of rotator cuff tears and re-tears is still a big challenge for shoulder surgeons. The aim of this study is to perform clinical and radiological evaluation (ultrasound and MRI) of patients treated with transosseous sharc-ft, and single row techniques for sovraspinatus rotator cuff tear at 6, 12 and 24 months follow up.

Methods:

Twenty-eight consecutive patients who underwent arthroscopic repair for rotator cuff tear were enrolled in the study and divided in two different groups: group A (14 patients) underwent a single row technique repair; group B (14 patients) underwent a transosseous sharc-ft technique repair. All participants had MRI or ultrasound examination confirmed full-thickness tears of sovraspinatus tendon before surgery. All the patients underwent clinical evaluation at 45 days, 3 months, 6 months, 12 and 24 months post-operatively with VAS, Dash, Constant and ASES score. Diagnostic ultrasound examination was performed at 6 months follow up while the MRI examination at 1 and 2 year follow up.

Results:

The whole primary variables didn’t show any significant difference and the groups were homogenous (age, Goutallier fatty infiltration, VAS, DASH, Constant, ASES). Some statistically significant differences are visible at discrete variables in a specific time: Dash at 12 months and Constant at 24 months show a significant improvement versus single-row technique.

Conclusion:

The arthroscopic transosseous repair technique with sharc-ft showed excellent results with little significant statically difference between this technique and the single row for this kind of lesion after 1 year of follow-up. Clinical data from this study confirmed, with the help of ultrasound examination and MRI, the excellent clinical outcome obtained by the patients. Further studies are needed to find differences between these techniques in the repair of large and massive rotator cuff lesions. (www.actabiomedica.it)

Comparison of the clinical and radiological outcomes of arthroscopic transosseous and transosseous-equivalent double-row rotator cuff repair techniques

OBJECTIVE

This study compared the clinical and radiological results of the arthroscopic transosseous (ATO) and transosseous-equivalent (TOE) double-row rotator cuff repair techniques.

METHODS

Prospective data collected from patients treated with ATO (32 women and 7 men, mean age: 57.03±6.39 years) and TOE (36 women and 8 men; mean age: 57.86±7.81 years) techniques were retrospectively evaluated. The visual analog scale score, Constant score, and Oxford shoulder score were used to assess the clinical results. Anchor pullout on standard anteroposterior shoulder radiographs and rotator cuff re-tear on magnetic resonance images were examined at the final follow-up to evaluate the radiological results. Rotator cuff re-tears were graded as per the classification system described by Sugaya et al. Results: The mean follow-up duration was 33.3±11.8 months. No difference was observed in the demographic data of the two groups. Significant improvement was observed in the postoperative shoulder scores of the groups; however, no difference was observed between the groups. Re-tear was detected in 10 patients of the TOE group and 9 patients of the ATO group. Age, tear size, and retraction level could cause re-tear.

CONCLUSION

In the treatment of rotator cuff tears, the ATO and TOE techniques may achieve considerable improvements in shoulder functions in the short term.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III, Therapeutic study.

Arthroscopic, Needle-Based, Transosseous Rotator Cuff Repair

Although open transosseous repair was historically used as a gold-standard surgical solution for rotator cuff tears, this procedure was largely replaced by anchor-based techniques because of the advancement of arthroscopic surgery. However, the ability of anchor-based repair to achieve similar biomechanical fixation remains uncertain. Despite the proposals of numerous methods over the last decade, there remains demand for a standard, reliable technique that integrates the biomechanical advantages of transosseous fixation within the realm of arthroscopy. We describe a technique for transosseous rotator cuff repair using the Omnicuff, a needle-based transosseous suture-passing device that minimizes the risk of failure of suture passage between the bone tunnels. With potential advantages of this design including automated-assisted suture passage, improved bone-tendon healing, and anchorless fixation, surgeons may be inclined to consider these biomechanical and cost-saving benefits. Future studies are warranted to determine clinical outcomes of this technique and its suitability for tears of varying degrees and patterns.

Optimal Angle of the Bone Tunnel for Avoiding Axillary Nerve Injuries During Arthroscopic Transosseous Rotator Cuff Repair: A Magnetic Resonance Imaging-Based Simulation Study

Background

Axillary nerve injury and suture cutout through the roof of the tunnel are potential complications of arthroscopic transosseous rotator cuff repair (ATORCR).

Purpose

To determine a safe angle of drilling for the bone tunnel during ATORCR such that the axillary nerve is not at risk. The thickness of the bone bridge over the tunnel for different angles of drilling was also determined.

Study Design

Descriptive laboratory study.

Methods

The drilling of a straight tunnel was simulated on 30 magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans in the oblique coronal plane by drawing a straight line that passed at a "safe distance" of 5 mm from the axillary nerve and emerging at the medial border of the insertion of the rotator cuff on the greater tuberosity. The angle made by this line with the horizontal axis of the humerus was measured on 3 MRI sections: anterior (passing just posterior to the lateral lip of the bicipital groove), middle (at the most lateral point of the proximal humerus), and posterior (an equal number of cuts away from the middle section as between anterior and middle). The thickness of the overlying bone roof was measured for this line as well as for simulation lines drawn at 50°, 55°, 60°, and 65° with the horizontal axis. A "safe limit," defined as the mean - 2SD, was also calculated.

Results

The axillary nerve was found to be safe, with a safety margin of 5 mm, at drill angles of less than 61.1° and 60.3° in the posterior and middle sections, respectively. The safe limit value for thickness of the overlying bone roof for the tunnel drilled at 60° was 5.0 mm in the posterior section (mean, 8.2 ± 0.3 mm) and 5.5 mm in the middle section (mean, 8.1 ± 0.2 mm). In the anterior section, the minimum safe angle was 57.7°, and the mean thickness of the bone roof for the 55° angle was 6.3 ± 0.2 mm (safe limit, 3.7 mm).

Conclusion

Straight bone tunnels in ATORCR surgery should be drilled at an angle of 60° to the horizontal axis of the humerus or 30° to the humeral shaft to ensure the safety of the axillary nerve while at the same time ensuring adequate thickness of the overlying bone roof. The anterior tunnel close to the bicipital groove should be drilled cautiously at 55° to the horizontal axis or 35° to the humeral shaft.

Clinical Relevance

The findings of the present study will help the surgeon choose the best angle for drilling tunnels during ATORCR surgery to avoid axillary nerve injuries as well as suture cut-through without the need for any proprietary device.

Evaluation of long-term postoperative outcomes between mini-open and arthroscopic repair for isolated supraspinatus tears: a retrospective analysis

BACKGROUND

Despite arthroscopic repair of the rotator cuff is an increasingly popular procedure, the mini-open (MO) repair still remains a viable and appreciated technique. The purpose of the study was to analyze the long-term clinical outcomes of patients with isolated supraspinatus tear undergoing MO or arthroscopic surgery (AS) repair.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Forty-six patients underwent supraspinatus repair with anchors: 24 with MO technique and 22 with AS procedure. They were evaluated postoperatively at 3, 6, 12 months and 2 years.

RESULTS

The mean surgery time, the mean hospital stay and the average costs were shorter in the MO patients respect to the AS group. Despite an initial better Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder and Hand and Constant Murley Score in the first 6 months of follow-up in the AS group, no differences were detected at 24 months.

CONCLUSION

This study suggests that isolated supraspinatus tears can be treated with a MO or arthroscopic repair procedure with similar clinical outcome in the long-term postoperative period. The mean surgery time and the average costs are less in the MO group respect to the AS group.

Is there a difference in clinical outcomes and repair integrity between arthroscopic single-row versus transosseous (anchorless) fixation? A retrospective comparative study

BACKGROUND

Few studies have investigated clinical and structural outcomes after transosseous (TO) repair. The purpose of this study was to compare structural and clinical outcomes of rotator cuff tear, repaired arthroscopically, with a single row (SR) or transossoeus (TO) anchorless technique.

METHODS

96 patients who underwent an arthroscopic repair for superior or posterosuperior rotator cuff tear using TO (n:54) or a SR (n:42) were retrospectively enrolled in this study after evaluation of clinical and surgical notes. Functional evaluation was performed with the adjusted Constant score, and American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score. Postoperative cuff integrity was determined through MRI study.

RESULTS

Patients were recalled after a minimum follow-up of two years. All the patients were available for the study. In the SR group the Constant rating system showed a significant improvement from a preoperative average rating of 44.8 to an average of 85.7. In the group of TO repair the Constant rating system showed a significant improvement from a preoperative average of 46.1 to an average of 87.6 postoperatively. According to ASES index scores, the average total score improved from 42.8 to 92.0 in the anchor group and from 40.4 to 94.6 in the TO group. There was no statistical difference between the two groups about clinical outcomes. Postoperative MRI revealed no differences in term of complete re-tears between the two techniques. In the SR group at MRI we observe significant more cases of rotator cuff with a Sugaya type III healing.

CONCLUSIONS

Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair yielded successful clinical outcomes using SR and TO technique. However using the TO technique we saw less type 3 Sugaya readings on MRI suggesting a possible benefit with TO repair.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE II

Retrospective study.

Rotator Cuff Repair Technique With Transosseous Knotless Anchor System

Various surgical techniques exist for rotator cuff repair that provide a suitable environment for tendon-bone healing. Arthroscopic recreation of transosseous repairs, which had previously been performed by open or miniopen techniques, can now be performed; however, arthroscopic, transosseous passage of suture material can be challenging technically. There are potential biologic and cost-saving advantages of arthroscopic transosseous rotator cuff repair that make an efficient and reproducible technique desirable for arthroscopists. The technique for arthroscopic transosseous rotator cuff repair using a knotless anchor-based system is demonstrated in the current Technical Note. Potential advantages of this construct include excellent biomechanics, enhanced footprint vascularization, and utility in poor bone quality while using minimal anchor numbers. Further studies will be needed to elucidate healing rates and clinical outcomes.

Biomechanical evaluation of an arthroscopic transosseous repair as a revision option for failed rotator cuff surgery

Background

The number of revision rotator cuff cases is increasing. The literature is lacking guidance or biomechanical evaluation for fixation strength in a revision case scenario. Therefore, the aim of the study was to provide biomechanical data investigating primary fixation strength of a transosseous technique after anchor pullout failure of a single row reconstruction. It was hypothesized that an arthroscopic transosseous repair system as a procedure for rotator cuff revisions is providing equivalent stability compared to a primary single row suture anchor fixation due to change of fixation site.

Methods

Eight matched pairs (n = 16) of fresh frozen human shoulders were tested. The paired specimen shoulders were randomly divided into two repair groups (A single row and B primary transosseous repair). The potted specimens were mounted onto the Servohydraulic test system. Both groups were tested under cyclic loading followed by load to failure testing. Suture anchor repair shoulders (group A) that were tested to failure underwent a revision transosseous repair and were subsequently tested again using the same setup and protocol (group C).

Results

The mean native footprint areas did not show a significant difference between groups. The reconstructed footprint area showed a significantly greater coverage in favor of the transosseous repair. Ultimate load to failure of reconstructions with the primary anchor fixation (344.73 N ± 63.19) and the primary transosseous device (375.36 N ± 70.27) was not significantly higher compared to the revision repair (332.19 N ± 119.01 p = 0.45, p = 0.53).

Conclusion

The tested transosseous anchor device is a suitable option to widely used suture anchors, providing equivalent fixation properties even in a revision case scenario.

Level of evidence

Basic Science Study, Biomechanics.

Advantages of Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair With a Transosseous Suture Technique: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND

Rotator cuff tear is a common finding in patients with painful, poorly functioning shoulders. The surgical management of this disorder has improved greatly and can now be fully arthroscopic.

PURPOSE

To evaluate clinical and radiological results of arthroscopic rotator cuff repair using 2 different techniques: single-row anchor fixation versus transosseous hardware-free suture repair.

STUDY DESIGN

Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 1.

METHODS

Sixty-nine patients with rotator cuff tears were enrolled: 35 patients were operated with metal anchors and 34 with standardized transosseous repair. The patients were clinically evaluated before surgery, during the 28 days after surgery, and at least 1 year after the operation by the use of validated rating scores (Constant score, QuickDASH, and numerical rating scale [NRS]). Final follow-up was obtained at more than 3 years by a QuickDASH evaluation to detect any difference from the previous follow-up. During the follow-up, rotator cuff integrity was determined through magnetic resonance imaging and was classified according to the 5 Sugaya categories.

RESULTS

Patients operated with the transosseous technique had significantly less pain, especially from the 15th postoperative day: In the third week, the mean NRS value for the anchor group was 3.00 while that for transosseous group was 2.46 ( P = .02); in the fourth week, the values were 2.44 and 1.76, respectively ( P < .01). No differences in functional outcome were noted between the 2 groups at the final evaluation. In the evaluation of rotator cuff repair integrity, based on Sugaya magnetic resonance imaging classification, no significant difference was found between the 2 techniques in terms of retear rate ( P = .81).

CONCLUSION

No significant differences were found between the 2 arthroscopic repair techniques in terms of functional and radiological results. However, postoperative pain decreased more quickly after the transosseous procedure, which therefore emerges as a possible improvement in the surgical repair of the rotator cuff. Registration: NCT01815177 ( ClinicalTrials.gov identifier).

Midterm clinical outcomes following arthroscopic transosseous rotator cuff repair

PURPOSE

Arthroscopic transosseous (TO) rotator cuff repair has recently emerged as a new option for surgical treatment of symptomatic rotator cuff tears. Limited data is available regarding outcomes using this technique. This study evaluated midterm clinical outcomes following a novel arthroscopic TO (anchorless) rotator cuff repair technique.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A consecutive series of 107 patients and 109 shoulders underwent arthroscopic TO (anchorless) rotator cuff repair for a symptomatic full-thickness tear. Pre and postoperative range of motion (ROM) was compared at an average of 11.8 months. Postoperative outcome scores were obtained at an average of 38.0 months. Statistical analysis was performed to compare pre and postoperative ROM data. Univariate analysis was performed using Student's t-test to compare the effect of other clinical characteristics on final outcome.

RESULTS

Statistically significant improvements were noted in forward flexion, external rotation and internal rotation (P < 0.0001). Average postoperative subjective shoulder value was 93.7, simple shoulder test 11.6, and American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score 94.6. According to ASES scores, results for the 109 shoulders available for final follow-up were excellent in 95 (87.1%), good in 8 (7.3%), fair in 3 (2.8%), and poor in 3 (2.8%). There was no difference in ROM or outcome scores in patients who underwent a concomitant biceps procedure (tenodesis or tenotomy) compared with those who did not. Furthermore, there was no significant difference in outcome between patients who underwent either biceps tenodesis or tenotomy. Age, history of injury preceding the onset of pain, tear size, number of TO tunnels required to perform the repair, and presence of fatty infiltration did not correlate with postoperative ROM or subjective outcome measures at final follow-up. Two complications and four failures were noted.

CONCLUSIONS

Arthroscopic TO rotator cuff repair technique leads to statistically significant midterm improvement in ROM and satisfactory midterm subjective outcome scores with low complication/failure rates in patients with average medium-sized rotator cuff tears with minimal fatty infiltration. Further work is required to evaluate radiographic healing rates with this technique and to compare outcomes following suture anchor repair.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV.

Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Tear Transosseous Repair System: The Sharc-FT Using the Taylor Stitcher

Transosseous rotator cuff tear repair was first described in 1944. Over the years, it has represented the gold standard for such lesions. Through open and mini-open approaches, as well as the arthroscopic approach, the transosseous repair system represents one of the most reliable surgical techniques from a biological and mechanical perspective. Nevertheless, further improvements are required. This article describes an arthroscopic rotator cuff tear transosseous repair system, developed in collaboration with NCS Lab (Carpi, Italy): the Sharc-FT using the Taylor Stitcher. Our first experience in the clinical application of the arthroscopic technique using the transosseous suture system has shown encouraging clinical outcomes, confirming its efficacy. The patient satisfaction rate was high, and no patient expressed concern about the implant. The complication rate was very low. By improving the suture technique in the treatment of rotator cuff tears, a remarkable increase in the success rate in the treatment of this pathology could be reached; nevertheless, complications such as retears of the rotator cuff still occur.

History of rotator cuff surgery

PURPOSE

Rotator cuff surgery is a rapidly evolving branch in orthopaedics, which has raised from a minor niche to a fully recognized subspecialty. This article summarizes its history, examining the development of its key principles and the technical advancements.

METHODS

Literature was thoroughly searched, and few senior surgeons were interviewed in order to identify the significant steps in the evolution of rotator cuff surgery.

RESULTS

A wide variety of surgical options is available to reduce pain and restore function after rotator cuff tears. Rotator cuff repair surgical techniques evolved from open to arthroscopic and are still in development, with new fixation techniques and biological solutions to enhance tendon healing being proposed, tested in laboratory and in clinical trials. Although good or excellent results are often obtained, there is little evidence that the results of rotator cuff repair are improving with the decades. An overall high re-tear rate remains, but patients with failed rotator cuff repairs can experience outcomes comparable with those after successful repairs.

CONCLUSIONS

Rotator cuff repair techniques evolve at a fast pace, with new solutions often being used without solid clinical evidence of superiority. It is necessary to conduct high-level clinical studies, in which data relating to anatomical integrity, patient self-assessed comfort and function, together with precise description of patient's condition and surgical technique, are collected.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

IV.

Gap formation in a transosseous rotator cuff repair as a function of bone quality

BACKGROUND

The transosseous approach has been well known for a long time as a valid repair approach. Over time, various criticisms have been raised over this technique principally classifiable in two main categories: technical difficulty and related reproducibility in an arthroscopic environment, and repair stability (in the suture-bone contact area). About cyclic performance, several authors have conceived test setups with the aim of simulating a real environment in dynamic load conditions. The aim of this study was to monitor gap formation in a cyclic test setup.

METHODS

The performance (measured as gap formation) has been monitored as a function of bone density to verify the effect of the latter. The test blocks have been shaped using sawbones® test bricks (Malmo, Sweden) of different densities, and the following values have been tested: 10, 15, 20, 30 and 40pcf.

FINDINGS

The comparison has been made between the two groups: traditional transosseous and new approach with an interposed device. Regarding the traditional transosseous approach in a 10-pcf environment, not even the first loading cycle was completed, the whole bone bridge was destroyed in the first loading ramp and no further loading capability was present in the repair. By increasing the block density, the surface damage in the suture-block contact decreased.

INTERPRETATION

With this work, it has been demonstrated how the traditional transosseous approach is strongly influenced by the bone quality up to the point where, in certain conditions, a safe and reliable repair is not guaranteed.