• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.212-218
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• 2024

Background: Rotator cuff tears commonly cause shoulder pain and functional impairment, prompting surgical intervention such as mini-open and arthroscopic methods, each with distinct benefits. This study aimed to compare the clinical outcomes and complications of these two approaches. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 165 patients who underwent rotator cuff repair using either arthroscopic-assisted mini-open or full arthroscopic approaches. Patient demographics, tear characteristics, clinical outcomes, and complications were assessed, with statistical analyses conducted to discern differences between the groups. Results: Among the patients, 74 (53.2%) received the mini-open approach, while 65 (46.8%) underwent arthroscopic repair, with a mean follow-up of 19.91 months. The mini-open group exhibited significantly higher postoperative American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) scores compared to the arthroscopic group (P=0.002). Additionally, the mini-open group demonstrated a more significant improvement in ASES scores from preoperative to postoperative assessments (P=0.001). However, the arthroscopic method had a significantly longer operative time (P<0.001). Complications, including anchor placement issues, frozen shoulder, infection, and re-rupture, occurred in 17.3% of patients overall. Re-rupture rates were 13.5% for mini-open and 6.2% for full arthroscopic repair, with no significant difference between the two methods (P=0.317). Conclusions: Both the mini-open and arthroscopic methods yielded favorable clinical outcomes for rotator cuff tear treatment, but the mini-open group exhibited superior results. Surgeons should consider patient characteristics, tear attributes, and surgical expertise when selecting the appropriate technique.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.20-26
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• 2006

Purpose: To evaluate the usefulness and functional results of open repair of massive rotator cuff tears combined with or without the tenoplasty of biceps long head. Materials and Methods: From March 2003 to August 2004, we evaluated 18 cases of the patient treated with open repair of massive rotator cuff tears. The mean age was 56 years and mean follow-up period was 15 months. We performed open repair of massive rotator cuff tears by tendon to bone repair, but in irrepairable 4 cases for tendon to bone repair performed open repair combined with tenoplasty of biceps long head. The functional results were assessed using the Constant score, the parameters of which were pain, dialy activity, mobility, strength and satisfaction. Results: The functional results were excellent in 4 cases, good in 8 cases, fair in 3 cases and poor in 3 cases. And the results of open repair combined with tenoplasty of biceps long head were good in 2 cases and fair in 2 cases. Re-repair was done in 1 case for re-rupture. And the functional result of this case was fair. The 3 poor cases were suspected re-rupture, the factor of which old age and weakened rotator cuff. It was impossible to do re-repair. Conclusion: The open repair combined with or without tenoplasty of biceps long head is a useful and effective method for massive rotator cuff tear.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.60-66
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• 2016

Background: Management of massive rotator cuff tears can be challenging because of the less satisfactory results and a higher retear rate regardless of the use of open or arthroscopic repair technique. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 102 cases of massive rotator cuff tear treated with either open or arthroscopic repair. Open repair was performed in 38 patients; and arthroscopic repair, in 64 patients. The mean age at the time of surgery was 59.7 years in the open group and 57.6 years in the arthroscopic group. Results: The Constant score increased from the preoperative mean of 55.9 to 73.2 at the last follow-up in the open repair group and from 53.8 to 67.6 in the arthroscopic repair group (p<0.001 and <0.001, respectively). The University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) score increased from a preoperative mean of 17.7 to 30.8 at the last follow-up in the open group and from 17.5 to 28.7 in the arthroscopic group (p<0.001 and <0.001, respectively). No statistically significant difference in the Constant and UCLA scores was observed between the two groups at the last follow-up (p=0.128 and 0.087, respectively). Retear was found in 14 patients (36.8%) in the open group and 39 patients (60.9%) in the arthroscopic group (p=0.024). Conclusions: Open and arthroscopic repairs of massive rotator cuff tears may provide satisfactory clinical results with no significant difference. However, a significantly lower retear rate was observed for the open repair group compared with the arthroscopic repair group.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.145-150
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• 2014

In the patients of retracted massive rotator cuff tears, there are much of difficulty to functional recovery and pain relief. Nevertheless the development of treatment, there are still debates of the best treatments in the massive rotator cuff tears. Recenlty various of treatments are introduced; these are acromioplasty with debridement, biceps tenotomy, great tuberoplasty with biceps tenotomy, partial repair, mini-open rotator cuff repair, arthroscopic rotator cuff repair, soft tissue augmentation, tendon transfer, flap, hemiarthroplasty, and reverse total shoulder arthroplasty. That there is no difference of result for reverse total shoulder arthroplasty between patients who have massive rotator cuff tear without arthritis and patients who have cuff tear arthropathy. Reverse total shoulder arthroplasty is one of reliable and successful treatment options for massive rotator cuff tear. Especially it is more effective for patients who have a pseudoparalysis.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.23-29
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• 2004

It has been reported that rotator cuff tear have good response to arthroscopic or open repair even if the range being so wide. However, the majority of this literature regarding the diagnosis and treatment of tear focused on lesion of the supraspinatus and infraspinatus tendons. But involvement of the subscapularis tendon with rotator cuff tear should be thought to be less common and poorer to open operative repair. Furthermore, some europian author have stated that the rotator cuff tear including the subscapularis tendon are sufficiently distinct in their clinical presentation and prognosis as to merit separate consideration of their diagnosis and treatment. The purpose of this study is to evaluate result of arthroscopic or open repair in patient with rotator cuff tear that include the subscapularis tendon. Of the 128 rotator cuff repairs performed from 1998 through 2003, 12 had a tear that include the subscapularis tendon in combination with the supraspinatus (8 cases) and infraspinatus (4 cases). Mean duration of symptoms before surgical treatment was 6 months (range 3 to 12 months). All 12 patient demonstrated a positive lift off sign. Shoulder function was assessed using the Constant- Murley score, which ranges from 30 to 58. Pain was assessed using a linear visual analogue scale range from 0 to 10. Postoperative Constant score range from 40 to 64 (average 47.8). Pain score improved from 5.5 to 8.5, but there are postoperative pain improvement on nothing in 5 patient. The overall result for 12 patient were satisfy in 2, fair in 5 and dissatisfy in 5: Therefore satisfactory result were noted only in 16 % of this overall group. In conclusion, we have failed to make good result in patient with rotator cuff tear that included the subscapularis tendon. At the result, outcome after surgical repair of this type of rotator tear is comparatively inferior to the result of operative repair of rotator cuff not involved the subscapularis tendon.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.27-33
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• 2006

Purpose: To investigate early complications after repair of massive rotator cuff tears and to find out factors that compromise the results. Materials and Methods: Fourteen patients who had two or more cuff tendons involved were included. All patients were operated by open acromioplasty and rotator cuff repair. At 3 months after operation, we investigated whether there were any early complications or not. We used ASES scoring system for preoperative and follow up evaluation. In addition, various preoperative factors, such as duration of symptom, degree of tendon retraction, degree of fatty degeneration, and acromio-humeral distance, were compared between the complicated patients and non-complicated patients. Results: At 3 months after operation, the ASES score and pain were improved in any degree in all patients. But 5 patients complained persisting pain, and three of them showed major complications such as re-rupture of rotator cuff or deltoid rupture. But no preoperative factors in complicated patients were significantly different from those in non-complicated patients. Conclusion: None of the preoperative factors were related to the complications. There was a tendency of overestimation of fatty degeneration in MRI. Some factors in surgical technique and rehabilitation were highly suspected to be related to the complications.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.30-34
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• 2004

Purpose: To report our experience of treatment of rotator cuff tear and evaluate the mid-term outcome. Materials and Methods: We have performed 50 cases of mini-open rotator cuff repair from March 1996 to March 1999. Male to female ratio was 34：16, the average age 46.5(23∼57) years old, mean follow-up period was 78(62∼93) months. All-arthroscopic repair and open repair cases were excluded. Mean symptomatic period was 12.5(6∼38) months, operation was indicated in cases of no improvement by 6 months of conservative management. Preoperative simple radiographs and Magnetic resonance arthrography were obtained in all cases. We also observed the inflammation, synovitis, thickness of tear and associated pathology intraoperatively. We evaluated pain, function, and range of motion by UCLA score. Results: Overall UCLA score was mean 29.5 points. Excellent 25, good 18, poor 7 cases. Mean pain score was improved 2.6 to 7.5, 44 cases(88%) were improved and 6 cases(12%) were not improved. Mean functional score was improved 3.4 to 8.5, and activity at follow up, 25 cases(50%) were same, 8 cases(14%) were above, 17 cases(34%) were below compared with preoperative level. Mean active forward flexion was preoperative 112° to postoperative 160°, forward flexion strength was improved 3.8 to 4.7. 43 cases(86%) of patients were satisfied at the result, 7 cases(14%) were not satisfied or aggravated. Results: Mini-open rotator cuff repair was effective method in treating rotator cuff tear.

• The Academic Congress of Korean Shoulder and Elbow Society
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• 2003.11a
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• pp.98-101
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• 2003

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.50-54
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• 2003

Object: To evaluate the efficiencies of the arthroscopic rotator cuff surgery which is Performed without the traction system in the lateral decubitus position. Methods: Twenty-nine cases of the arthroscopic rotator cuff surgery performed without the traction system in the lateral decubitus position were studied from February, 2002 to January, 2005. We performed a repair using the arthroscopic debridement and the arthroscopic rotator cuff repair, or using the mini-open incision technique after the confirmation of rotator cuff tear, then, the arthroscopic subacromial decompression was performed after the confirmation of subacromial lesions Results: We could easily find the subscapularis tear which was often overlooked in the arthroscopic rotator cuff surgery performed with the traction surgery by the relaxation of the subscapularis, as the arm position was internally rotate about 45 to 70 degrees from abducted position. We found that the operation time was reduced 14 minutes shorter than the operation time of the controlled group which had the surgery with the traction system on the average. We also found that there were no neurovascular complications from all cases. Conclusions: The arthroscopic rotator cuff surgery without traction system in the lateral decubitus position provided the better visual field, easy manipulation of the joint and reducing operation time.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.11-19
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• 2020

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare deltoid origin status following large rotator cuff repair carried out using either an open or an arthroscopic method with a propensity score matching technique. Methods: A retrospective review of 112 patients treated for full-thickness, large rotator cuff tear via either a classic open repair (open group) or an arthroscopic repair (arthroscopic group) was conducted. All patients included in the study had undergone postoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and clinical follow-up for at least 12 and 18 months after surgery, respectively. Propensity score matching was used to select controls matched for age, sex, body mass index, and affected site. There were 56 patients in each group, with a mean age of 63.3 years (range, 50-77 years). The postoperative functional and radiologic outcomes for both groups were compared. Radiologic evaluation for postoperative rotator cuff integrity and deltoid origin status was performed with 3-Tesla MRI. Results: The deltoid origin thickness was significantly greater in the arthroscopic group when measured at the anterior acromion (P=0.006), anterior third (P=0.005), and middle third of the lateral border of the acromion level (P=0.005). The deltoid origin thickness at the posterior third of the lateral acromion was not significantly different between the arthroscopic and open groups. The arthroscopic group had significantly higher intact deltoid integrity with less scarring (P=0.04). There were no full-thickness deltoid tears in either the open or arthroscopic group. Conclusions: Open rotator cuff repair resulted in a thinner deltoid origin, especially from the anterior acromion to the middle third of the lateral border of the acromion, at the 1-year postoperative MRI evaluation. Meticulous reattachment of the deltoid origin is as essential as rotator cuff repair when an open approach is selected.