002 TISSUE QUALITY OF ROTATOR CUFF AND CLINICAL OUTCOME AFTER ARTHROSCOPIC REPAIR

Abstract

To analyze the relationship between functional outcome and tissue quality after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair.

One hundred and forty-five patients who had undergone arthroscopic repair of rotator cuff tear, during the period of 2003–2008, were evaluated. All operations were performed under the same surgeons. The mean follow-up period was 2.4±1.2 years (range, 0.5 to 5 ys). The patients were devided in two groups:

1. patients with good tissue quality and

2. patients with poor tissue quality.

As good tissue quality is defined the tendon with enough mass for suturing (thickness> 3mm) and good elasticity (the footprint is covered properly under tendon traction with tissue grasper). The independent variable studied here was the tissue quality of rotator cuff tendon. Clinical outcomes preoperatively and postoperatively, were assessed with use of ASES, CONSTANT and UCLA scores. Statistical analysis was performed by using STATA 8.0.

Good tissue quality was identified in 119 patients (82%) and poor tissue quality in 26 (18%) patients respectively. At the follow up the patients with good tissue quality achieved Constant score: 86.85±12.49, ASES score: 84±3.4, UCLA score: 28.7±1.9 and the patients with poor tissue quality achieved Constant score: 62.35±13.85, ASES score: 61.49±8.9, UCLA score: 21±3.2. Significant difference between the two groups concerning the clinical outcome was observed after adjusted the data for age. Besides high correlation was noticed between old age and increased rate of poor tissue quality (r=0.88).

Better clinical outcomes are expected in patients associated with good tissue quality, adjusted for age. So the tissue quality is positively correlated with the final functional outcome.