Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Rotator cuff repairs with all-suture tape anchors: no difference in outcomes between with or without all-suture tape anchors

  • SHOULDER
  • Published:
Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy Aims and scope

Abstract

Purpose

This study aimed at comparing the outcomes of medium- to large-sized rotator cuff repairs performed using the suture bridge technique either with or without tape-like sutures, and single row techniques with conventional sutures.

Methods

A total of 135 eligible patients with medium to large rotator cuff tears were identified and analyzed retrospectively, from 2017 to 2019. Only repairs using all-suture anchors were included in the study. Patients were divided into the following three groups: single-row (SR) repair (N = 50), standard double-row suture bridge (DRSB) repair with conventional sutures (N = 35), and DRSB with tape-like sutures (N = 50). The average postoperative follow-up period was 26.3 ± 9.8 months (range, 18–37).

Results

DRSB with tapes had the highest re-tear rate of 16% (8/50), but there was no significant difference with the re-tear rates observed in SR (8%, 4/50) and DRSB with conventional sutures (11.4%, 4/35) (n.s.). DRSB with tapes demonstrated higher rate of type 2 re-tears (10%) compared to type 1 re-tears (6%), but the other two groups showed either similar or higher rates of type 1 re-tears compared to that of type 2. Post-operative functional scores of the three groups improved significantly (all p < 0.05), but the differences between the groups were not statistically significant.

Conclusions

No clinical difference in functional outcomes and re-tear rates were observed in DRSB with tapes when compared with SR and DRSB using the conventional sutures. Tape-like DRSB suture which was expected to be superior by its biomechanical advantage was clinically non-superior to conventional DRSB suture. There were no significant differences in VAS scores and UCLA scores.

Level of evidence

Level III.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
$34.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

Explore related subjects

Discover the latest articles, news and stories from top researchers in related subjects.

Data availability statement

The datasets used and/or analysed during the current study available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

References

  1. Barber FA, Drew OR (2012) A biomechanical comparison of tendon-bone interface motion and cyclic loading between single-row, triple-loaded cuff repairs and double-row, suture-tape cuff repairs using biocomposite anchors. Arthroscopy 28:1197–1205

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Barber FA, Herbert MA (2017) All-suture anchors: biomechanical analysis of pullout strength, displacement, and failure mode. Arthroscopy 33:1113–1121

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Bernardoni ED, Frank RM, Veera SS, Waterman BR, Griffin JW, Shewman EF et al (2019) Biomechanical analysis of medial-row all-suture suture anchor fixation for rotator cuff repair in a pair-matched cadaveric model. Arthroscopy 35:1370–1376

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Cho NS, Yi JW, Lee BG, Rhee YG (2010) Retear patterns after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair: single-row versus suture bridge technique. Am J Sports Med 38:664–671

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Christoforetti JJ, Krupp RJ, Singleton SB, Kissenberth MJ, Cook C, Hawkins RJ (2012) Arthroscopic suture bridge transosseus equivalent fixation of rotator cuff tendon preserves intratendinous blood flow at the time of initial fixation. J Shoulder Elbow Surg 21:523–530

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. DeOrio JK, Cofield RH (1984) Results of a second attempt at surgical repair of a failed initial rotator-cuff repair. J Bone Joint Surg Am 66:563–567

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Franceschi F, Ruzzini L, Longo UG, Martina FM, Zobel BB, Maffulli N et al (2007) Equivalent clinical results of arthroscopic single-row and double-row suture anchor repair for rotator cuff tears: a randomized controlled trial. Am J Sports Med 35:1254–1260

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Fuchs B, Weishaupt D, Zanetti M, Hodler J, Gerber C (1999) Fatty degeneration of the muscles of the rotator cuff: assessment by computed tomography versus magnetic resonance imaging. J Shoulder Elbow Surg 8:599–605

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Goutallier D, Postel JM, Bernageau J, Lavau L, Voisin MC (1994) Fatty muscle degeneration in cuff ruptures. Pre- and postoperative evaluation by CT scan. Clin Orthop Relat Res 304:78–83

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Hantes ME, Ono Y, Raoulis VA, Doxariotis N, Venouziou A, Zibis A, Vlychou M (2018) Arthroscopic single-row versus double-row suture bridge technique for rotator cuff tears in patients younger than 55 years: a prospective comparative study. Am J Sports Med 46(1):116–121

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Hinse S, Ménard J, Rouleau DM, Canet F, Beauchamp M (2016) Biomechanical study comparing 3 fixation methods for rotator cuff massive tear: Transosseous No. 2 suture, transosseous braided tape, and double-row. J Orthop Sci 21:732–738

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Iannotti JP, Deutsch A, Green A, Rudicel S, Christensen J, Marraffino S et al (2013) Time to failure after rotator cuff repair: a prospective imaging study. J Bone Joint Surg Am 95:965–971

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Imam M, Sallam A, Ernstbrunner L, Boyce G, Bardakos N, Abdelkafy A et al (2020) Three-year functional outcome of transosseous-equivalent double-row vs. single-row repair of small and large rotator cuff tears: a double-blinded randomized controlled trial. J Shoulder Elbow Surg 29:2015–2026

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Jo CH, Shin JS (2013) Changes in appearance of fatty infiltration and muscle atrophy of rotator cuff muscles on magnetic resonance imaging after rotator cuff repair: establishing new time-zero traits. Arthroscopy 29:449–458

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Koh KH, Kang KC, Lim TK, Shon MS, Yoo JC (2011) Prospective randomized clinical trial of single- versus double-row suture anchor repair in 2- to 4-cm rotator cuff tears: clinical and magnetic resonance imaging results. Arthroscopy 27:453–462

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Koh KH, Laddha MS, Lim TK, Park JH, Yoo JC (2012) Serial structural and functional assessments of rotator cuff repairs: do they differ at 6 and 19 months postoperatively? J Shoulder Elbow Surg 21:859–866

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Lapner PL, Sabri E, Rakhra K, McRae S, Leiter J, Bell K et al (2012) A multicenter randomized controlled trial comparing single-row with double-row fixation in arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. J Bone Joint Surg Am 94:1249–1257

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Liu RW, Lam PH, Shepherd HM, Murrell GAC (2017) Tape versus suture in arthroscopic rotator cuff repair: biomechanical analysis and assessment of failure rates at 6 months. Orthop J Sports Med 5:2325967117701212

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  19. Liu VK, Bouwmeester TM, Smith GCS, Lam PH (2020) Biomechanical comparison of knotless wide suture double-row SutureBridge rotator cuff repair to double-row standard suture repair. J Shoulder Elbow Surg 29:1621–1626

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Mazzocca AD, Millett PJ, Guanche CA, Santangelo SA, Arciero RA (2005) Arthroscopic single-row versus double-row suture anchor rotator cuff repair. Am J Sports Med 33:1861–1868

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Millett PJ, Warth RJ, Dornan GJ, Lee JT, Spiegl UJ (2014) Clinical and structural outcomes after arthroscopic single-row versus double-row rotator cuff repair: a systematic review and meta-analysis of level I randomized clinical trials. J Shoulder Elbow Surg 23:586–597

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Oh JH, Park JS, Rhee SM, Park JH (2020) Maximum bridging suture tension provides better clinical outcomes in transosseous-equivalent rotator cuff repair: a clinical, prospective randomized comparative study. Am J Sports Med 48:2129–2136

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Ono Y, Joly DA, Thornton GM, Lo IKY (2018) Mechanical and imaging evaluation of the effect of sutures on tendons: tape sutures are protective to suture pulling through tendon. J shoulder Elbow Surg 27(9):1705–1710

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Park MC, McGarry MH, Gunzenhauser RC, Benefiel MK, Park CJ, Lee TQ (2014) Does transosseous-equivalent rotator cuff repair biomechanically provide a “self-reinforcement” effect compared with single-row repair? J Shoulder Elbow Surg 23:1813–1821

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Patte D (1990) Classification of rotator cuff lesions. Clin Orthop Relat Res 254:81–86

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Pill SG, McCallum J, Tolan SJ, Bynarowicz T, Adams KJ, Hutchinson J, Alexander R, Siffri PC, Brooks JM, Tokish JM, Kissenberth MJ (2021) Regenesorb and polylactic acid hydroxyapatite anchors are associated with similar osseous integration and rotator cuff healing at 2 years. J Shoulder Elbow Surg 30(7S):S27–S37

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Sano H, Komatsuda T, Inawashiro T, Sasaki D, Noguchi M, Irie T et al (2020) Comparison between single and double suture passing techniques in the suture bridge rotator cuff repair with a 2-mm tape: A simulation study using a three-dimensional finite element method. J Orthop Sci. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jos.2020.02.017

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Smith GCS, Bouwmeester TM, Lam PH (2017) Knotless double-row SutureBridge rotator cuff repairs have improved self-reinforcement compared with double-row SutureBridge repairs with tied medial knots: a biomechanical study using an ovine model. J Shoulder Elbow Surg 26:2206–2212

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Sobhy MH, Khater AH, Hassan MR, El Shazly O (2018) Do functional outcomes and cuff integrity correlate after single- versus double-row rotator cuff repair? A systematic review and meta-analysis study. Eur J Ortho Surg Trauma Orthopedie Traumatologie 28(4):593–605

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Thomazeau H, Rolland Y, Lucas C, Duval JM, Langlais F (1996) Atrophy of the supraspinatus belly. Assessment by MRI in 55 patients with rotator cuff pathology. Acta Orthop Scand 67:264–268

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Van der Bracht H, Van den Langenbergh T, Pouillon M, Verhasselt S, Verniers P, Stoffelen D (2018) Rotator cuff repair with all-suture anchors: a midterm magnetic resonance imaging evaluation of repair integrity and cyst formation. J Shoulder Elbow Surg 27:2006–2012

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Zanetti M, Gerber C, Hodler J (1998) Quantitative assessment of the muscles of the rotator cuff with magnetic resonance imaging. Invest Radiol 33:163–170

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

IRB/Ethical Committee Approval

This study was approved by Kyung-Hee University Clinical Trial Review Committee (IRB No. KHUH202109055-HE002).

Funding

The authors have no financial relationships to disclose.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Shoulder and Elbow Clinic, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, College of Medicine, Kyung Hee University Hospital, Seoul, Korea

    Sung-Min Rhee

  2. The Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, Butterfield St, Herston, QLD, Australia

    Seung-Min Youn

  3. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Myongji Hospital, 697-24 Hwajung-Dong, Deokyang-Gu, Goyang-Si, 10475, Gyeonggi-Do, Korea

    Cheol Hwan Kim, Geun-Wu Chang, Se Yeon Kim, Hyun Joo Ham & Yong Girl Rhee

Authors
  1. Sung-Min Rhee
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Seung-Min Youn
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Cheol Hwan Kim
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Geun-Wu Chang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Se Yeon Kim
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Hyun Joo Ham
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Yong Girl Rhee
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Yong Girl Rhee.

Ethics declarations

Conflicts of interest

There are no conflicts of interest to declare.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Rhee, SM., Youn, SM., Kim, C.H. et al. Rotator cuff repairs with all-suture tape anchors: no difference in outcomes between with or without all-suture tape anchors. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 31, 4060–4067 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-023-07454-4

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-023-07454-4

Keywords

Search

Navigation