• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.135-140
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• 2021

Background: We hypothesized in this study that the characteristics of retear cases vary according to surgeon volume and that surgical outcomes differ between primary and revision arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (revisional ARCR). Methods: Surgeons performing more than 12 rotator cuff repairs (RCRs) per year were defined as high-volume surgeons, and those performing fewer than 12 RCRs were considered low-volume surgeons. Of the 47 patients who underwent revisional ARCR at our clinic enrolled in this study, 21 cases were treated by high-volume surgeons and 26 cases by low-volume surgeons. In all cases, the interval between primary surgery and revisional ARCR, degree of "acromial scuffing," number of anchors, RCR technique, retear pattern, fatty infiltration, retear size, operating time, and clinical outcome were recorded. Results: During primary surgery, significantly more lateral anchors (p=0.004) were used, and the rate of use of the double-row repair technique was significantly higher (p<0.001) in the high- versus low-volume surgeon group. Moreover, the "cut-through pattern" was observed significantly more frequently among the cases treated by high- versus low-volume surgeons (p=0.008). The clinical outcomes after revisional ARCR were not different between the two groups. Conclusions: Double-row repair during primary surgery and the cut-through pattern during revisional ARCR were more frequent in the high- versus low-volume surgeon groups. However, no differences in retear site or size, fatty infiltration grade, or outcomes were observed between the groups.

• Journal of Korean Orthopaedic Sports Medicine
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.61-68
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• 2011

Purpose: We evaluated the clinical outcome after arthroscopic repair in full thickness rotator cuff tears with and without delamination. Materials and Methods: From March 2006 to October 2008, we included 48 consecutive shoulders (31 males, 17 females; mean age 57.6 years; 45~68) who had arthroscopic double row repair for fullthickness tears of the rotator cuff. Mean rotator cuff tear size was 2.8 cm (range: 1.2~3.6) and the techniques of tendon-to-bone fixation varied according to the presence of delamination; separate row fixations of bursal and articular layer were used in delaminated tear. The mean follow-up was 26 months (range: 18~33) and functional and structural results were evaluated by American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES), University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) scale, isokinetic strength testing and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) obtained mean 8 months (range:6~13) postoperatively. The patterns of delamination, age, sex, symptom duration, size of tear, satisfaction rate, retear rate ware compared and significance was set at p values < 0.05. Results: Postoperative functional shoulder score improved significantly in 44 shoulders (91.7%). Delamination was observed in 15 shoulders (31%) and it extended proximally and posteriorly in the majority of shoulders, and the articular layer was thicker (8/15, 53%) and more retracted (9/15, 60%) compared with the superficial bursal layer. Final follow up functional shoulder scores showed no differences between non-delaminated and delaminated tears and the presence of delamination had no correlations with sex, symptom duration, tear size and satisfaction rate, however, older age had more delaminated tears (p=0.041). Follow up MRI in 29 shoulders revealed that fourteen (48%) shoulders had complete healing; nine (31%), partial healing; six (21%), complete retear but the half of the retear group showed favorable clinical results. 79% (15/19) in non-delaminated tear and 80% (8/10) in delaminated tear were judged as healed tendon on MRI and double-layer double row repairs in delaminated tears resulted in nearly same rate of structural integrity of single-layer double row repairs (p=0.165). Conclusion: The incidence of delamination in our series was 31% and older age had more delaminated tears. Sex, symptom duration, preoperative size of the tear, functional results and satisfaction rate had no significant correlations with the presence of delamination. Nearly the same postoperative structural integrity was noted in both delaminated and non-delaminated tears.

• The Academic Congress of Korean Shoulder and Elbow Society
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• 2009.03a
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• pp.162-162
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• 2009

After preparation of the bone bed, two doubly loaded suture anchors with suture eyelets are inserted at the articular margin of the greater tuberosity. A retrograde suture-passing instrument penetrates the rotator cuff to retrieve the sutures through the modiWed Neviaser or subclavian portal. An ipsilateral pair of suture eyelets in the suture anchor is passed through the margins of the rotator cuff tear. The blue suture of the second and third pair is pulled out of the lateral cannula, and the threaded blue suture of the third pair in the needle is passed through the blue suture of the second pair. After retrieving the blue suture of the firrst pair through the anterior portal, it is pulled out to pass the blue suture of the third pair through the eyelet of the anteromedial anchor. The blue suture is linked between two anchors. The medial row of suture bridge is repaired with a sliding knot, and the sutures are not cut. Once the rotator cuff repair using the suture-bridge technique has been performed, the two blue strands in the anterior portal are tied. We describe our technique that possesses the advantages of both the double-pulley and suturebridge techniques, which improves the pressurized contact area and maximizes compression along the medial row.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.199-206
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• 2009

Purpose: Our goal for this study was to prospectively evaluate the functional & structural outcomes, by means of CT arthroscopy, of arthroscopic double-row fixation for treating rotator cuff tear. We also attempted to determine the variants that affect the functional & structural outcomes. Materials and Methods: Twenty seven consecutive patients underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair with double-row fixation. The average age at the time of the operation was fifty six years. The preoperative and postoperative examinations consisted of determining the Constant score, the score for the visual analogue scale for pain, the UCLA score, the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, as well as a full physical examination of the shoulder. Preoperative MR arthrography was used to evaluate the integrity and atrophy of the rotator cuff. We measured the intraoperative tear size in the sagittal and coronal planes. Postoperative CT arthrography was used at one year postoperatively to evaluate the integrity and atrophy of the repaired tendons and muscles. Results: Preoperative MR arthrography revealed an average 29.22 mm tear size in the sagittal plane and an average 22.72 mm tear size in the coronal plane. Twelve cases of supraspinatus muscle atrophy and two cases of infraspinatus atrophy were observed on the preoperative MR arthrography. The average clinical outcome scores all significantly improved at the time of follow-up. At a mean of one year postoperatively, CT arthrography revealed 48.1% of the shoulders had healed, 11.1% showed incomplete healing and 40.7% showed retear of the repaired tendon. Conclusion: Arthroscopic double-row repair can result in improved clinical outcomes and good patient satisfaction. However, the problems about how to enhance healing of the repaired tendon still remain.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.206-210
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• 2015

Background: Assessment of the clinical outcomes after rotator cuff repair is essential for their effectiveness on treatment. The Korean Shoulder and Elbow Society devised the Korean Shoulder Scoring System (KSS) for patients with rotator cuff disorder. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the availability of the KSS for assessment of clinical outcomes in patients after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair, and for comparison with other appraisal scoring systems. Methods: A total of 130 patients with partial-thickness or full-thickness rotator cuff tear who underwent arthroscopic repair using a single row or double row suture bridge technique were enrolled. The average follow-up period was 25.9 months. All patients were classified according to various factors. Comparison within corresponding categories was performed, and the correlation between the KSS and other shoulder assessment methods including University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Constant and American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score was analyzed. Results: Total score of the KSS response had increased from 59.6 preoperatively to 88.96 at last follow-up. All KSS domains, including function, pain, satisfaction, range of motion, and muscle power had improved up to 24 months postoperatively. Statistical significance was observed mainly in preoperative measurements with number and size of torn tendons, and greater than or equal to grade 3 of fatty infiltration. The KSS was best correlated with the UCLA scoring system in both preoperative (r=0.785) and postoperative (r=0.951) measurements. Conclusions: The KSS was highly reliable and valid as a discriminative instrument, and it showed strong correlation with ASES and UCLA scoring systems.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.276-286
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• 2023

Background: The transosseous anchorless repair (ToR) technique was recently introduced to avoid suture anchor-related problems. While favorable outcomes of the ToR technique have been reported, no previous studies on peri-implant cyst formation with the ToR technique exist. Therefore, this study compared the clinical outcomes and prevalence of peri-implant cyst formation between the ToR technique and the conventional transosseous equivalent technique using suture anchors (SA). Methods: Cases with arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (ARCR) between 2016 and 2018 treated with the double-row suture bridge technique were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were divided into ToR and SA groups. To compare clinical outcomes, 19 ToR and 57 SA cases without intraoperative implant failure were selected using propensity score matching (PSM). While intraoperative implant failure rate was analyzed before PSM, retear rate, peri-implant cyst formation rate, and functional outcomes were compared after PSM. Results: The intraoperative implant failure rate (ToR, 8% vs. SA, 15.3%) and retear rate (ToR, 5.3% vs. SA, 19.3%) did not differ between the two groups (all P>0.05). However, peri-implant cysts were not observed in the ToR group, while they were observed in 16.7% of the SA group (P=0.008). Postoperative functional outcomes were not significantly different between the two groups (all P>0.05). Conclusions: The ToR technique produced comparable clinical outcomes to conventional techniques. Considering the prospect of potential additional surgeries, the absence of peri-implant cyst formation might be an advantage of ToR. Furthermore, ToR might reduce the medical costs related to suture anchors and, thereby, could be a useful option for ARCR. Level of evidence: III.

• Journal of the Korean Arthroscopy Society
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.49-52
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• 2010

Purpose: We introduce arthroscopically assisted mini-open rotator cuff repair using anterolateral approach. Operative Technique: Placing lateral decubitus position on general anesthesia, a standard arthroscopic glenohumeral examination is performed to evaluate lesions of shoulder joint through posterior and anterior portal. And then arthroscope is placed in the subacromial space and we evaluate the size of the torn tendon and perform arthroscopic acromioplasty through lateral portal. A 3 to 4 cm skin incision is performed from anterolateral edge of acromion to distal and dissected along to raphe between anterior and middle deltoid. A deltoid retractor is then placed, allowing direct visualization of the rotator cuff and humeral head. As torn tendon is tagged by traction suture, we try to anatomical reduction on the footprint and then perform single row or double row repair of the rotator cuff using suture anchors. To prevent avulsion of the deltoid from the acromion, additional sutures by bone tunnel with acromion and deltoid is performed. Conclusion: This technique is useful procedure to get direct approach to anterior portion of supraspinatus tendon and to need lesser deltoid retraction than portal extension approach due to dividing along to raphe between anterior and middle deltoid. Also it provide better visualization of the superior portion of subscapularis and infraspinatus.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.39-44
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• 2024

Background: Displaced olecranon fractures constitute a challenging problem for elbow surgeons. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the role of suture anchor fixation for treating patients with displaced olecranon fractures. Methods: A retrospective review was performed for all consecutive patients with displaced olecranon fractures treated with suture anchor fixation with at least 2 years of clinical follow-up. Surgical repair was performed acutely in all cases with nonmetallic suture anchors in a double-row configuration utilizing suture augmentation via the triceps tendon. Osseous union and perioperative complications were uniformly assessed. Results: Suture anchor fixation was performed on 17 patients with displaced olecranon fractures. Functional outcome scores were collected from 12 patients (70.6%). The mean age at the time of surgery was 65.6 years, and the mean follow-up was 5.6 years. Sixteen of 17 patients (94%) achieved osseous union in an acceptable position. No hardware-related complications or fixation failure occurred. Mean postoperative shortened disabilities of the arm, shoulder, and hand (QuickDASH) score was 3.8±6.9, and mean Oxford Elbow Score was 47.5±1.0, with nine patients (75%) achieving a perfect score. Conclusions: Suture anchor fixation of displaced olecranon fractures resulted in excellent midterm functional outcomes. Additionally, this technique resulted in high rates of osseous union without any hardware-related complications or fixation failures.