A NEW TECHNIQUE FOR AUGMENTATION OF MASSIVE ROTATOR CUFF RECONSTRUCTION USING THE BICEPS TENDON ALONG WITH TENODESIS

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to describe a new, minimally invasive massive rotator cuff tear reconstruction technique that uses the biceps tendon and to compare the results of this novel technique with primer repair. Eighteen patients were operated on a minimally invasive biological reconstruction of the massive rotator cuff tear using the biceps tendon, together with tenodesis. A further 23 patients underwent operations using anchors during the same period. The difference in postoperative UCLA scores between the two groups was not statistically signicant, but the postoperative Constant score was signicantly higher for the new technique, while the postoperative VAS score was signicantly lower for the new technique. Massive rotator cuff tear reconstruction using the biceps tendon as a graft, together with tenodesis, was feasible using the technique described here and was associated with good middle term clinical and functional outcomes, with a low re-rupture rate.