OBJECTIVETo evaluate the mid-term results of arthroscopic repair of full-thickness rotator cuff tears.

METHODSFrom December 2002 to May 2007, 35 patients(35 shoulders) with full-thickness rotator cuff tears underwent arthroscopic treatment. Five patients were lost in the follow-up period, leaving 30 patients available for evaluation. There were 15 male and 15 female patients, the average age was 55.6 years(31-74 years). Three left shoulder and 27 right ones were involved. All the patients underwent subacromial bursectomy and acromioplasty, 19 cases were repaired by suture anchor. Eleven tears were repaired by suture anchor combined with side-to-side suture. Sixteen patients underwent single-row repair and 14 patients underwent dual-row repair. The follow-up was completed on June 2012. The University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) scoring system was adopted before operation and at the final evaluation.

RESULTSThirty patients were followed up for an average of 78.5 months(range 5-10 years). The average score increased from 14.2 ± 3.1 to 33.6 ± 2.1 (t = -37.154, P = 0.000) . The mean pain score was 2.5 ± 0.9 vs.9.5 ± 1.0(t = -24.466, P = 0.000) for preoperative vs. postoperative, the function score was 4.5 ± 1.5 vs. 9.4 ± 1.1 (t = -18.500, P = 0.000), the mean forward flexion score was 3.3 ± 1.6 vs. 4.9 ± 0.2(t = -5.614, P = 0.000), the mean forward flexion strength was 3.9 ± 0.5 vs. 4.7 ± 0.4 (t = -6.591, P = 0.000). The results were 19 excellent, 11 good. The average scores of single-row group and double-row group were 33.6 ± 1.7 and 33.6 ± 2.6 respectively. All patients were satisfied with the operation.

CONCLUSIONSThis surgery has many advantages such as mini-invasion and rapid recovery. The clinical results of both single-row repair and dual-row repair are satisfactory. The key to the operation lies in accurate tear pattern recognition, enough tendon release and correct suturing method.