Abstract:

Tendon augmentation grafts have the potential to facilitate the repair of massive or otherwise unrepairable rotator cuff tears. In our clinic, between 2009 and 2013, 25 patients underwent surgery to treat massive symptomatic rotator cuff tears with porcine dermal collagen patch. This study is a clinical and instrumental assessment of 9 patients with the longest follow-up. These patients were evaluated with Constant score, the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Evaluation Form, ultrasound imaging, magnetic resonance imaging, and electromyography. The clinical evaluations have shown good outcomes. The magnetic resonance imaging results were comparable with those of the ultrasound scan. In all cases, we found covering of humeral head, centering of the humeral head, maintenance of the tropism of the supraspinatus, no appearance of fatty degeneration, no worse in cases with fatty degeneration. With the electromyographic examination a complete functional recovery was observed with the possibility of performing maximal contraction against resistance in all cases. We believe that porcine dermal collagen is effective as an augmentation graft in the treatment of chronic extensive rotator cuff tears, providing excellent pain relief with an improvement in active ranges of motion and strength.

Authors:

Stefano Giannotti, MD, Specialist in Orthopaedics and Traumatology, IInd Orthopaedic and Traumatologic Clinic, Marco Ghilardi, MD, Specialist in Orthopaedics and Traumatology, IInd Orthopaedic and Traumatologic Clinic, Giacomo Dell’Osso, MD, Specialist in Orthopaedics and Traumatology, IInd Orthopaedic and Traumatologic Clinic, Luca Magistrelli, MD, Specialist in Orthopaedics and Traumatology, IInd Orthopaedic and Traumatologic Clinic, Giulia Bugelli, MD, Resident in Orthopaedics and Traumatology, IInd Orthopaedic and Traumatologic Clinic, Frederica Di Rollo, MD, Resident in Orthopaedics and Traumatology, IInd Orthopaedic and Traumatologic Clinic, Giulia Ricci, MD, Specialist in Neurology, Neurologic Clinic, Rosanna Calabrese, MD, Specialist in Neurology, Neurologic Clinic, Gabriele Siciliano, MD, PhD, Associate Professor in Neurology, Neurologic Clinic, Giulio Guido, MD, PhD, Ordinary Professor of Orthopaedics , and Traumatology, IInd Orthopaedic and Traumatologic Clinic, University of Pisa , Pisa, Italy

PMID:  24526420

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