Does the Use of Injectable Atelocollagen during Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair Improve Clinical and Structural Outcomes?

BACKGROUND@#Since the establishment of biological augmentation to improve the treatment of rotator cuff tears, it is imperative to explore newer techniques to reduce the retear rate and improve long-term shoulder function after rotator cuff repair. This study was undertaken to determine the consequences of a gel-type atelocollagen injection during arthroscopic rotator cuff repair on clinical outcomes, and evaluate its effect on structural integrity.@*METHODS@#Between January 2014 and June 2015, 121 patients with full thickness rotator cuff tears underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. Of these, 61 patients were subjected to arthroscopic rotator cuff repair in combination with an atelocollagen injection (group I), and 60 patients underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair alone (group II). The visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain and the Korean Shoulder Society (KSS) scores were evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed at 6 months postoperatively, to assess the integrity of the repair.@*RESULTS@#VAS scores were significantly lower in group I than in group II at 3, 7, and 14 days after surgery. KSS scores showed no significant difference between groups in the 24 months period of follow-up. No significant difference was obtained in the healing rate of the rotator cuff tear at 6 months postoperatively (p=0.529).@*CONCLUSIONS@#Although a gel-type atelocollagen injection results in reduced pain in patients at 2 weeks after surgery, our study does not substantiate the administration of atelocollagen during rotator cuff repair to improve the clinical outcomes and healing of the rotator cuff.

Preoperative Korean Shoulder Scoring System Correlates with Preoperative Factors of Rotator Cuff Tears

BACKGROUND: The Korean Shoulder Scoring System (KSS) is a reliable and valid procedure for discriminative assessment of the clinical status of patients with rotator cuff tears. This study evaluates the correlation between the preoperative KSS and factors in patients with rotator cuff tears. METHODS: From November 2009 to June 2016, 970 patients who underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair were retrospectively evaluated. A total of 490 patients met the study criteria. Preoperative factors included age, sex, symptom duration, mediolateral (ML) and anteroposterior (AP) tear size, acromiohumeral distance (AHD), tangent sign, tendon involvement (type I, supraspinatus; type II, supraspinatus and subscapularis; type III, supraspinatus and infraspinatus; type IV, all 3 tendons), fatty infiltration of rotator cuff muscles (group I, Goutallier stages 0 and 1; group II, Goutallier stages 2, 3, and 4), and KSS. RESULTS: Old age, ML tear size, and AP tear size negatively correlated with the preoperative KSS (p < 0.001). AHD showed a positive correlation with the preoperative KSS (p < 0.001). A significantly inferior preoperative KSS was found in females and type III tendon involvement (p < 0.001). For supraspinatus and infraspinatus, the preoperative KSS of group II fatty infiltration showed a significantly lower score than group I fatty infiltration (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: A relatively lower preoperative KSS was associated with old age, large tear size, narrow AHD, female, type III tendon involvement, and group II fatty infiltration of the supraspinatus and infraspinatus. Our study indicates that preoperative KSS can be a good measurement for the preoperative status of patients with rotator cuff tears.

Reconstruction of Large Bone and Soft Tissue Defect Combined with Infection in the Lower Extremity with Free Flap Followed by Ipsilateral Vascularized Fibular Transposition

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to report on the results and discuss the role of free flap followed by ipsilateral vascularized fibular transposition (IVFT) for reconstruction of large bone and soft tissue defect combined with infection by open tibia fracture. MATERIALS AND METHODS: During the research period, lasting from December 2002 to June 2008 (Kyung Hee University Medical Center), data were collected from three patients who underwent IVFT after free flap. We analyzed the successiveness and persistency of the infection using free flapping, bone union, and hypertrophy between transposed fibula and tibia. RESULTS: Regarding free flap, successive results were observed in all examples. In the final follow-up results, transposed fibulas all survived, having hypertrophy similar to that of adjacent tibia. CONCLUSION: Reconstruction of tibia defect with free flap followed by IVTF is a useful and safe method for avoidance of the potential risk of infection for patients with a large tibial bone defect and soft tissue defect associated with infection.

Cementless Total Hip Arthroplasty with Medial Wall Osteotomy for the Sequelae of Septic Arthritis of the Hip

BACKGROUND: We performed a retrospective study to evaluate the results of acetabular circumferential medial wall osteotomy, a procedure designed to provide secure fixation of a cementless hemispherical acetabular cup for the sequelae of septic arthritis of the hip. METHODS: We assessed 38 total hip arthroplasties (THAs) with circumferential acetabular medial wall osteotomies performed on patients with sequelae of septic arthritis of the hip between 1993 and 2000, who were followed up for > or = 3 years. The average follow-up period was 8.3 years (range, 3 to 12 years). The indication for this technique was poor acetabular cup coverage of < or = 70% on preoperative templating. In all cases, cementless hemispherical acetabular cups were fixed to the true acetabulum. Additional procedures included soft tissue release in 16 hips and femoral derotational and shortening osteotomies in 12 hips. We evaluated both clinical and radiological results. RESULTS: The Harris hip scores improved from 57 points preoperatively to 91 points postoperatively. Radiological analysis revealed no aseptic loosening or radiolucent lines around the acetabular cup. Stable bony fixation of the acetabular cup in the true acetabulum was seen in all cases. Acetabular osteolysis was demonstrated in 12 hips. Revision surgery was performed in 6 hips, but there were no complications related to acetabular circumferential medial wall osteotomy. CONCLUSIONS: Circumferential acetabular medial wall osteotomy can provide appropriate positioning and sufficient coverage of the acetabular cup and thus preserve the medial wall thickness in cementless THA without the need for additional bone grafting for the sequelae of septic arthritis of the hip.

Revision Total Hip Arthroplasty with S-ROM Modular System

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical and radiological outcomes after revision total hip arthroplasty using the S-ROM modular system. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-three consecutive patients (24 hips) who underwent femoral stem revision with the S-ROM modular system were followed for more than two years. The average follow-up period was 44 months (range, 24~72 months), and the average age at the time of the revision was 48 years (range, 30~68 years). Underlying causes for revisions included 23 cases of aseptic loosening and 1 case of septic loosening. Femoral bone defects according to the Paprosky system were classified as type II in 12 hips, type III in 8, and type IV in 4. The clinical and radiographic results were evaluated. RESULTS: At the time of latest follow-up, there was no femoral stem loosening, osteolysis, radiolucency, or rerevision. Although 3 cases of Paprosky classification type IV showed subsidence, stable fibrous fixation was achieved in these hips. Complications included 1 intraoperative femoral shaft crack and 1 postoperative deep infection. CONCLUSION: We can achieve stable initial fixation using the S-ROM modular system with proximal press fitting sleeve and fluted stem.